JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY DISCOVERY
Integrity Research Journals

ISSN: 2536-7064
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JBBD
Start Year: 2016
Email: jbbd@integrityresjournals.org


Bioassay-driven fractionation and in vivo evaluation of hepatoprotective potentials of Gymnema sylvestre methanolic leaf extract in Wistar albino rat

https://doi.org/10.31248/JBBD2026.251   |   Article Number: 629C4F6A3   |   Vol.11 (2) - April 2026

Received Date: 05 February 2026   |   Accepted Date: 10 March 2026  |   Published Date: 30 April 2026

Authors:  Kabiru Usman* , Umar Adamu , A.B. Hamza , Muttaka Auwalu , Mansur Usman , A.A. Naibi , N. I. Danmaliki , Nafiu Bello , Abubakar Yusuf , Aliyu Garba and Sambo A. Sambo

Keywords: Carbon Tetrachloride, Bioactivity-guided fractionation, Gymnema Sylvestre, hepatoprotective potential, histopathological study.

This study was conducted to assess the hepatoprotective potential of Gymnema sylvestre methanolic leaf extract through bioactivity-guided fractionation with Wistar albino rats induced with Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Study of qualitative phytochemical analysis performed on the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, and triterpenoids, while quantitative analysis indicated flavonoids (28.57±0.30 mg/g) as the most abundant constituent, followed by saponins and alkaloids. The extract also contained high levels of antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E and phenolic compounds, suggesting strong antioxidant potential. CCl4 administration significantly elevated serum Alanine Transferase (ALT), Aspartate Transferase (AST), Total Bilirubin (TB), and Direct Bilirubin (DB) while reducing Total Protein (TP) and Albumin (ALB), confirming severe hepatic injury (p<0.05). Treatment with Silymarin and graded doses of thyl acetate fraction (100–400 mg/kg) significantly restored these biochemical parameters in a dose-dependent manner, with the 400 mg/kg dose showing the highest therapeutic reversal comparable to Silymarin. Antioxidant enzyme assays revealed marked reductions in SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH levels and elevated MDA in the CCl4 group, indicating oxidative stress. Administration of the extract fraction, particularly at 400 mg/kg, significantly improved antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced lipid peroxidation. Histopathological observations further supported these biochemical findings, showing severe necrosis, inflammation, and fatty degeneration in the CCl4 group, while treated groups demonstrated progressive restoration of normal hepatic architecture, with the 400 mg/kg group exhibiting near-normal liver histology.

Abe, R. A. M., Masroor, A., Khorochkov, A., Prieto, J., Singh, K. B., Nnadozie, M. C., Abdal, M., Shrestha, N., & Mohammed, L. (2021). The role of vitamins in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review. Cureus, 13(8), e16855.
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.16855
 
Chen, Y., Mei, Y. Q., Hou, L., & Li, K. J. (2025). Therapeutic potential of plant-derived natural products against drug-induced liver injury. Frontiers in pharmacology, 16, 1652860.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1652860
 
Devarbhavi, H., Asrani, S. K., Arab, J. P., Nartey, Y. A., Pose, E., & Kamath, P. S. (2023). Global burden of liver disease: 2023 update. Journal of Hepatology, 79(2), 516-537.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.017
 
Doumas, B. T., Watson, W. A., & Biggs, H. G. (1971). Albumin standards and the measurement of serum albumin with bromcresol green. Clinica Chimica Acta, 31(1), 87-96.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-8981(71)90365-2
 
Ercan, N., & Koçkaya, M. (2017). Determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in Kangal dogs with maternal cannibalism. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 5(12), 1493-1496.
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v5i12.1493-1496.1478
 
Gonfa, Y. H., Bachheti, A., Semwal, P., Rai, N., Singab, A. N., & Bachheti, R. K. (2025). Hepatoprotective activity of medicinal plants, their phytochemistry, and safety concerns: A systematic review. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, 80(3-4), 61-73.
https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2024-0116
 
He, L., He, T., Farrar, S., Ji, L., Liu, T., & Ma, X. (2017). Antioxidants maintain cellular redox homeostasis by elimination of reactive oxygen species. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 44(2), 532-553.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000485089
 
Jargar, J. G., Hattiwale, S. H., Das, S., Dhundasi, S. A., & Das, K. K. (2012). A modified simple method for determination of serum α-tocopherol (vitamin E). Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology andPharmacology, 23(1), 45-48.
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2011-0033
 
Jendrassik, L. (1938). Vereinfachte photometrische methoden zur bestimmung des blutbilirubins. Biochem z, 297, 81-89.
 
Kakkar, P., Das, B., & Viswanathan, P. N. (1984). A modified spectrophotometric assay of superoxide dismutase. Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysis, 21(2), 130-132.
 
Kim, M., Jee, S. C., & Sung, J. S. (2024). Hepatoprotective effects of flavonoids against benzo [a] pyrene-induced oxidative liver damage along its metabolic pathways. Antioxidants, 13(2), 180.
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13020180
 
Li, S., Tan, H. Y., Wang, N., Zhang, Z. J., Lao, L., Wong, C. W., & Feng, Y. (2015). The role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in liver diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 16(11), 26087-26124.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms161125942
 
Lowry, O., Rosebrough, N., Farr, A. L., & Randall, R. J. (1951). Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 193(1), 265-275.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(19)52451-6
 
Mittal, G., Prashanth, A., Dhali, A., Prasad, R., Yogesh, S., Nurani, K. M., & Găman, M. A. (2025). Plant extracts with antioxidant and hepatoprotective benefits for liver health: A bibliometric analysis of drug delivery systems. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 31(18), 105836.
https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v31.i18.105836
 
Moustafa, M. A., Ghareeb, D. A., El-Demellawy, M. A., & Elsayed, M. M. (2021). Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract prevention of carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity and lipopolysaccharides/paracetamol induced hepatitis in rats. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 15(5), 206-214.
https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR2020.6920
 
Mouleeswaran, K. S., Varghese, J., & Reddy, M. S. (2023). Atlas of Basic Liver Histology for Practicing Clinicians and Pathologists. Springer. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/ 978-981-99-5762-0.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5762-0
 
Newman, D. J., & Cragg, G. M. (2020). Natural products as sources of new drugs over the nearly four decades from 01/1981 to 09/2019. Journal of Natural Products, 83(3), 770-803.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01285
 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2022). Test No. 425: Acute Oral Toxicity - Up-and-Down Procedure. OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 4. OECD Publishing, Paris. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264071049-en.
https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264071049-en
 
Oshobu, M. L., Alhassan, A. J., Mansura, A., Ononamadu, C. J., Ibrahim, A. (2018). Hepatoprotective Potential of methanolic extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaves on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in Wistar strain albino rats. Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research, 3(1), 1-8.
 
Pulungan, I. Y., Girsang, E., & Lubis, Y. E. P. (2025). Protective Role of Centella asiatica Extract Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Damage: A Biochemical and Ultrasonographic Study. Pharmacognosy Journal, 17(6), 760-769.
https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2025.17.95
 
Rahman, I., Kode, A., & Biswas, S. K. (2006). Assay for quantitative determination of glutathione and glutathione disulfide levels using enzymatic recycling method. Nature Protocols, 1(6), 3159-3165.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2006.378
 
Rani, J., Dhull, S. B., Rose, P. K., & Kidwai, M. K. (2024). Drug-induced liver injury and anti-hepatotoxic effect of herbal compounds: a metabolic mechanism perspective. Phytomedicine, 122, 155142.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155142
 
Reitman, S., & Frankel, S. (1957). A colorimetric method for the determination of serum glutamic oxalacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminases. American journal of clinical pathology, 28(1), 56-63.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/28.1.56
 
Ryan, M. J., Dudash, H. J., Docherty, M., Geronilla, K. B., Baker, B. A., Haff, G. G., Cutlip, R. G., & Alway, S. E. (2010). Vitamin E and C supplementation reduces oxidative stress, improves antioxidant enzymes and positive muscle work in chronically loaded muscles of aged rats. Experimental Gerontology, 45(11), 882-895.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2010.08.002
 
Shukla, P. K., Kumari, N., Fatima, T., & Singh, H. (2023). Evaluation of bio-control agents for the management of guava decline. Journal of Eco-Friendly Agriculture, 18(1), 193-199.
https://doi.org/10.5958/2582-2683.2023.00035.7
 
Tiwari, P., Mishra, B. N., & Sangwan, N. S. (2014). Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Gymnema sylvestre: an important medicinal plant. BioMed Research International, 2014(1), 830285.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/830285
 
Trefts, E., Gannon, M., & Wasserman, D. H. (2017). The liver. Current Biology, 27(21), R1147-R1151.Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.019.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.019
 
World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023). World health statistics 2023: Monitoring health for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). World Health Organisation. Retrieved from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/367912.
 
Yang, C. L., Lin, Y. S., Liu, K. F., Peng, W. H., & Hsu, C. M. (2019). Hepatoprotective mechanisms of taxifolin on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice. Nutrients, 11(11), 2655.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11112655