Potential Protective Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea Linn) Flower Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity Rats

Abstract

The current study was carried out to explore the hepatoprotective properties of ethanol-derived Clitoria ternatea flower extract (CTEE) on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. It was observed that rats injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) exhibited significant (p≤0.05) reductions in various biological parameters like BWA, FI, and FER, with percentages of -42.86%, -36.99%, and -30.14%, respectively, compared to rats in the control group. Moreover, in comparison to the rats in the normal group, biochemical parameters like total bilirubin (TB), AST, ALT, ALP, and 129.90 liver enzyme activities showed significant (p≤0.05) elevations at 77.28, 129.90, 158.72, and 412.84%, respectively. Along with a decrease in the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH and GSSG) and an increase in the level of oxidants (MDA and NO2), this was also correlated with an imbalance in certain antioxidant parameters and oxidants in the blood. Each of these parameters suggested that CCl4 was the cause of the liver injury. Rat protocol feeding with CTEE intervention produced a significant (p≤0.05) improvements in all previous biological, biochemical, and oxidant/antioxidant status markers, indicating protection against hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, a dose-dependent pattern was seen in the rate of improvement for each of these parameters. In conclusion, CTEE demonstrated efficacy in preventing liver disorders caused by CCl4. It is therefore advised that we include such plant parts (flowers of Clitoria ternatea) in our daily diets, beverages, and pharmaceutical formulae at concentrations of up to 400 mg/kg bw/day.