A hepatoprotective experiment on taro vegetable (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) flower employing animal models by mitigating oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, known as the taro vegetable, possesses various beneficial effects and is traditionally used in folk medicine. This study explores the ameliorative antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of a methanolic extract of the C. esculenta flower (ME-CEF) against oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity in mice.

METHODS

The antioxidant efficacy of ME-CEF was assessed using 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. The hepatoprotective effect was investigated by an assessment of liver injury indicators (amino transferase [ALT], aspartate amino transferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], bilirubin, creatinine) and normalizing lipid profiles (cholesterol [CHO], triglyceride [TG], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], and low-density lipoprotein [LDL]) along with histopathological study and antioxidant enzymes (CAT). A phytochemical analysis, both qualitative and quantitative, was conducted, including gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis and an in silico molecular docking study.

RESULTS

The Result Showed that ME-CEF Possesses Moderate ABTS and DPPH Scavenging Activity with IC50 Values of 117.18 and 160.41 μg/mL. As Illustrated by Reducing Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, Bilirubin, Creatinine) and Lipid Profile (CHO, TG, LDL) and Raising HDL Levels (p < 0.01), ME-CEF Dose Dependently Mitigated CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury. Furthermore, ME-CEF Blocked Hepatic Oxidative Stress by Boosting Antioxidant Enzymes (CAT) and Preventing Liver Tissue Damage and Apoptosis. In Silico Investigations Also Showed a Promising Binding Affinity with Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), PRAP-1, and Xanthin Oxidoreductase, which Displayed Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Candidacy while Notable Safety and Efficacy Profile Was Also Documented through ADME/T Studies. Histopathological Analysis Showed Reduced Hepatocellular Necrosis and Vascular Congestion in Silymarin and Extract Groups.

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, our findings strongly recommend the medicinal use of the plant, highlighting its antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials.