Therapeutic effects of ethanol extract from Erythrina fusca Lour. fruit against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of ethanol extract from Erythrina fusca Lour. fruit (EFEL) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in mice. EFEL was administered orally at doses of 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg for 28 days. EFEL significantly restored body weight, reduced liver weight, and normalized serum AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin levels compared to the CCl4 group (p < 0.05). Total protein and albumin were also improved. EFEL attenuated oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhancing antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, TAC), while decreasing catalase activity. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) showed a marked decrease, particularly at the 500 mg/kg dose. Histopathological findings supported the biochemical results, showing preserved hepatic architecture and reduced inflammation. These results demonstrate that EFEL exerts dose-dependent hepatoprotective effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, demonstrating its promise as a liver damage treatment.