Inhibitory effect of the methanol extract of Clerodendrum volubile Linn. on carbon tetrachloride-induced early hepatic fibrogenesis: in silico and in vivo study

Abstract

Liver disease remains a significant public health problem, claiming several lives globally every year. All forms of liver disease, irrespective of the cause, lead to liver fibrosis if they persist. Liver fibrosis ends up in liver cirrhosis and creates a microenvironment that enhances the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clerodendrum volubile is a food and medicinal plant consumed to manage several diseases, including liver diseases. Liver fibrosis was induced in Wistar rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 Olive oil 1:1) for nine weeks and treated with the extract from weeks 7–9. The activities of liver function markers (ALT, AST, Total and indirect bilirubin), antioxidant enzymes (GSH, SOD, Gpx), level of lipid peroxidation and histopathological lesions were assessed. In silico method was used to investigate the binding affinity of C. volubile-derived phytochemicals to cytochrome 450 2E1. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced CCl4-induced ALT, AST, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation, increased the activity (p < 0.05) of GSH, SOD and Gpx, and ameliorated CCl4-induced hepatic lesions and collagen deposition. In the in silico study, four C. volubile-derived phytochemicals showed significant binding affinity with CYP2E1, with Phytol showing the best and most stable binding. The study thus predicted the potential of C. volubile to inhibit liver fibrogenesis via antioxidative and anti-CYP2E1 effects.