Objective: The present work explored the potential hepatoprotective activity of total ethanol and successive extracts of Cyperus alternifolius L (Cyperaceae) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and to isolate their bioactive constituents.
Methods: For isolation and identification of the compounds, column chromatography and spectroscopic analysis were used, a model of hepatotoxicity by CCl(4) in rats was used to evaluate the total ethanol extract and its successive fractions.
Results: Phytochemical screening of C. alternifolius revealed the presence of different phytochemical groups. The plant proved to be safe for human use because it did not induce any signs of toxicity or mortality in mice when administered orally at doses up to 5000 mg kg(-1). The total alcoholic extract in doses of 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) and the successive extracts (ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate) in a dose of 10 mg kg(-1) exhibited a significant (p ≤ 0.05) protective effect by lowering the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase: 230.4, 218.8, 224.6, 227.4 and 231.6 U L(-1), respectively, compared with 111.6 U L(-1) for silymarin (25 mg kg(-1)). Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were also reduced: 77.4, 72.7, 79.7, 76.0 and 79.7 U L(-1) compared to 63.7 U L(-1) for silymarin. Alkaline phosphatase: 164.6, 158.0, 163.6, 154.7 and 166.4 U L(-1) compared to 138.2 U L(-1) for silymarin. Total bilirubin: 0.50, 0.46, 0.55, 0.52 and 0.57 mg dl(-1) compared to 0.42 mg dl(-1) for silymarin. Cholesterol: 213.1, 200.0, 192.7, 193.6 and 197.1 mg dl(-1) compared to 180.3 mg dl(-1) for silymarin. Triglycerides: 237.3, 222.4, 209.5, 206.8 and 210.2 mg dl(-1) compared to 196.8 mg dl(-1) for silymarin. Eight phenolic compounds were isolated from C. alternifolius for the first time and identified as esculetin 1, umbelliferon 2, imperatorin 3, psoralen 4, xanthotoxin 5, quercetin 6, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside 7 and gallic acid 8.
Conclusions: The results concluded that C. alternifolius possesses significant protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl(4).