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ABSTRACT
Lawsonia inermis commonly known as henna has been used traditionally, especially in ayurvedic medicine, for various conditions including liver ailments, and reported to have hepatoprotective properties. This study aims to study the effect of aqueous extract of L. inermis leaves in acute ethanol induced hepatic damage in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) female rats were equally divided into five (5) groups (I-V). Group I which served as control received normal feed and water ad libitum for 28 days. Group II received Lawsonia inermis for 28 days. Group III received 2mg/kg of mercury chloride only for 28 days. Group IV simultaneously received 2mg/kg of mercury chloride and treated with 200mg/kg of L. inermis for 28 days. Group V simultaneously received 2mg/kg of mercury chloride and treated with 400mg/kg of L. inermis for 28 days. All animals were sacrificed on the twenty ninth (29th) day. Body weight changes and liver body weight index were determined. Liver tissues were collected for assessment of enzymes concentration, and also for haematoxylin and eosin staining. Body weight increased in all groups from initial mean weight of 180.1 g, though significantly (p<0.05) only in Group IV and Group V. Liver body weight index was highest in Group I, and was significantly (p<0.05) different from Group III and Group V. Mercury chloride administration increased the value of total bilirubin significantly of (P<0.05) although decrease was seen in enzymes like alkaline phosphate and alanine Transferase and increased in conjugated bilirubin but these were not significant to (P<0.05) H&E staining revealed attenuation of the effects of mercury chloride administration by the extract, though the extract proved more effective at 400 mg/kg dose and duration of 28 days. Promising result was also observed in the group that received 200mg/kg dose over a duration of 28 days. This study provides valuable insights into the protective potential of Lawsonia inermis against mercury chloride-induced toxicity in rats. The observed improvements in biochemical and histopathological parameters suggest that Lawsonia inermis may have a role in ameliorating the adverse effects of mercury chloride exposure. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the feasibility of using Lawsonia inermis as a complementary therapy in cases of mercury chloride toxicity.
