Pharmacological Evaluation of Buchanania lanzan Bark Against Alcohol Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to assess the potential of Buchanania lanzan bark extract in mitigating alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis effects. Objectives: Included evaluating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, exploring interactions with liver disease-related proteins, investigating impacts on cirrhosis in rats and identifying underlying molecular pathways and targets. Materials and Methods: Network pharmacology study was carried out by cytoscape 3.7.2. First, bark extract was screened for in vitro antioxidant activity via DPPH and NO assays. Wistar rats were treated with alcohol (ethanol) 3 mL/day along with treatment standard drug silymarin and Buchanania lanzan bark extract (400 and 800 mg/kg) and fraction (200 mg/kg) for 21 days. Body weight, food intake, liver weight as well as liver biomarker such as ALT, AST, ALP, TP, TC, TB and hepatic antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase, LPO, GSH were measured. Results: In the study we identified phytocompounds of Buchanania lanzan bark can modulate the effect of ethanol on AKT1, TLRs, TNF, MAPK 8 and 14 targets through mainly TNF signalling pathway, Toll-like signalling pathway and MAPK signalling pathway. Buchanania lanzan bark showed potent antioxidant potency on scavenging of DPPH and NO. Alcohol intoxication significantly decreases body weight, food intake and serum total protein level and increases liver weight, serum ALT, AST, ALP, TC and TB level. However, treatment with silymarin, Buchanania lanzan bark fraction (200 mg/kg) and extract (400 and 800 mg/kg) alters the pathological conditions induced by alcohol. Conclusion: The Hydroalcoholic extract and fraction of Buchanania lanzan bark has the potential to minimize the complications associated with ethanol induced liver cirrhosis.