Effects of Ethanol extract of Xylopia aethiopica on CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Background: Liver injury remains a major global health challenge, prompting the search for effective phototherapeutic interventions. Xylopia aethiopica (African pepper) is widely used in traditional medicine for its antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties. This study investigated the protective and therapeutic effects of Xylopia ethiopica ethanol extract on carbon tetrachloride CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male Westar rats. Methods: Thirty-five adult male Westar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=7): Group I (Normal Control); Group II CCl4 Control, 1 mL/kg b.w i.p, Group III (Standard Control, Silymarin 100 mg/kg + CCl4; Group IV Low Dose X. aethiopica, 200 mg/kg + CCl4; and Group V High Dose X. aethiopica, 400 mg/kg + CCl4. Serum biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, Total Bilirubin) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH) were evaluated alongside hepatic histo- pathology. Results: Administration of CCl4, Induced severe hepatotoxicity as evidenced by significant (p < 0.05) elevations in serum ALT, AST, ALP, and MDA, alongside a drastic depletion of SOD, CAT, and GSH. Pre-treatment with X. aethiopica signif- icantly (p < 0.05) mitigated these alterations in a dose-dependent manner, comparable to the standard drug Silymarin. Histo- logical analysis corroborated these findings, revealing preserved hepatic architecture, reduced centrilobular necrosis, and minimal inflammatory cell infiltration in treated groups. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that Xylopia Ethiopic possesses potent hepatoprotective properties, likely mediated through its robust antioxidant defence mechanisms.