Phytochemical Contents, GC-MS Analysis and Hepatoprotective Effect of the Methanol Leaf Extract of Camelliasinensis (L.) Kuntze on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: _Camellia sinensis_ is a tree popularly called green tea used as a strong antioxidant and for treating diseases such as cancer. This present study was aimed at assessing the phytochemicals and evaluating the hepatoprotective activity of leaf extract in Wistar rats. METHODS: The phytochemical screening was performed by standard methods, GC-MS analysis was carried out in Agilent 7890 A GC coupled to a MS detector, acute toxicity study was evaluated by the OECD guidelines, and hepatoprotective activity were evaluated in randomly groups of five rats of six rats in paracetamol-induced liver toxicity, while liver biomarkers were evaluated using automated methods. RESULTS: The phytochemical screening of leaf extract revealed the presence of major metabolites. The GC-MS analysis showed 18 bioactive compounds which are mainly fatty acids with retention times between 7.436 and 18.462 min.  A high total phenolic content (TPC) of 1425.22 mg GAE/g and a total flavonoid content (TFC) of 802.01 mg QE/g were obtained. The acute toxicity did not produce any sign of toxicity at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg of extract. The extract produced a dose-dependent activity on the liver. These protections were statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared to the standard drug silymarin. There were no elevated values in liver function biomarkers in all the animal groups as well as histopathological damages to the liver after eight weeks of treatment at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of extract doses. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study showed that _C. sinensis_ methanol leaf extract contains important phytochemicals that are protective against paracetamol-induced liver injuries, thus, the plant was considered safe for use as ethnomedicinal remedies for liver disease in traditional medicine.