In vivo study and in silico analysis of the hepatoprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae) leaves against acetaminophen-induced liver damage and oxidative stress in Wistar rats

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Résumé

Objectives: The objectives were to study, in vivo, the hepatoprotective effects of Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae) leaves
against acetaminophen-induced hepatocyte damage in Wistar rats, and to conduct an in silico analysis of molecular targets.
Methods: Hepatic toxicity was induced by oral administration of acetaminophen at a dose of 750 mg /kg to Wistar rats. An
aqueous extract of C. pepo L. was administered orally for 8 days at doses of 100 and 200 mg /kg body weight to rats with hepatic
toxicity. Biochemical and oxidative parameters were assessed in serum and liver homogenates.
Key findings: Serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, cholesterol-C, and total protein increased (P < .001) in rats treated
with acetaminophen alone and were reduced (P < .001) by the 100 and 200 mg /kg body weight dosesof extract. The extract
significantly reduced (P < .001) the acetaminophen-induced increase in serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and total
bilirubin in rats. At 100 and 200 mg /kg body weight, the extract restored (P < .001) markers of oxidative stress (catalase,
glutathione, and malondialdehyde). Histopathological examination confirmed hepatocellular protection, with reduced portal
inflammation and recover y of liver architecture. The results of the docking analysis obtained from an explorator y study on a
plant related to C. pepo revealed potential molecular interactions between target proteins and molecules that may be present
in the aqueous extract of C. pepo.
Conclusions: These results suggest that C. pepo may possess hepatoprotective properties in vivo and, according to the
preliminar y computational study, may act on target proteins.

Mots-clés

rat , hepatotoxicity, Cucurbita pepo, acetaminophen