Hepatoprotective response of Cordia sebestena L. fruit against simvastatin induced hepatotoxicity

Context: Cordia sebestena fruits are traditionally used to treat wounds, boils, tumors, gout, ulcer, flu, fever, asthma, menstrual cramps, dysentery, diarrhea, headache, snakebite and liver disorders. However, information on hepatoprotective potential of Cordia sebestena fruit has not been reported in the research. Aims: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of Cordia sebestena fruit (CSFE) against simvastatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: After authentication of fruit, its ethanolic extract was collected. Hepatotoxicity was induced by simvastatin in rodents. Hepatoprotective potential of CSFE was evaluated at 200 and 400 mg/kg, body weight by determining the altered levels of biochemical parameters like serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SCOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), cholesterol, bilirubin, urea, albumin, total protein and hematological indices including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelets, and lymphocytes along with the impact on body and liver weight of treated rats. Results: The treatment with CSFE at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, significantly at (p<0.05, p<0.001) and dose-dependently reversed simvastatin-induced altered level of SCOT, SGPT, cholesterol, urea, total bilirubin and restored the total protein and albumin level in rodents. Hematological indices also were significantly ameliorated at both the doses of CSFE. Histopathological study revealed the regeneration of hepatocytes. Conclusions: The Cordia sebestena fruit extract (CSFE) at dose of 400 mg/kg reversed liver deteriorations induced by simvastatin in rats, therefore manifesting its traditional use as hepatoprotector. Future studies should be performed for isolating biologically active phytoconstituents.