Dillenia suffruticosa L. Impedes Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Damage by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Markers in Rats

Dillenia suffruticosa L. (Dilleniaceae) is used in traditional medicine for protection against various diseases. The current study was designed to investigate the bioactive compounds and hepatoprotective potential of methanol leaves extract of D. suffruticosa against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic oxidative injury. Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with methanol extract of D. suffruticosa leaves (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg body weight [bwt]) once daily for 14 days followed by two doses of CCl4 (1.0 mL/kg bwt). After 2 weeks the rats were sacrificed and hepatoprotective analysis was performed. The identified bioactive compounds include phenol (1.39%); benzyl alcohol (2.04%); 2H-pyran-2-one, 4,6-dimethyl (1.19%); phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) (0.83%); dodecanoic acid (0.84%); hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (2.66%); n-hexadecanoic acid (0.96%); and phytol (2.13%). The administration of D. suffruticosa significantly depleted the elevation of enzymatic levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (4% to 59% recovery), reduced the extent of malondialdehyde production (13% to 79% recovery), elevated the level of reduced glutathione (5% to 21% recovery), and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (0.43% to 35% recovery). Histopathological analyses by light and electron microscopy revealed that the plant extract protects the liver from the toxic effects of CCl4 and cured lesions such as necrosis and fatty degeneration. It also decreased hepatocyte injuries such as irregular lamellar organization and dilations in endoplasmic reticulum. Immunohistochemical studies indicate the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified protein adducts. In addition, the overexpression of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are reduced. Hence, we find D. suffruticosa to be a good source of bioactive compounds with hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced oxidative damage.