Hepatoprotective Effects of Chionanthus Virginicus Bark Tincture and Saffron Stigma Extract Against CCl4 Induced Hepatotoxicity in Female Albino Rats

Abstract

The liver is a vital organ, and allopathic medicines used to treat liver disorders are often inefficient and associated with adverse effects. Therefore, it is crucial to develop safe and effective therapies for hepatic disorders. The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of saffron stigma extract and the herbal medicine Chionanthus virginicus (bark tincture), both individually and in combination, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic injury in female white albino rats. Experimental rats were divided into five groups (n = 5 per group): Group 1, normal control; Group 2, toxicant control, administered a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of CCl₄ in olive oil (0.187 mL/kg body weight) via intraperitoneal injection for 2 weeks; Group 3, treated orally with saffron stigma extract (0.25 mL/kg/day) + CCl₄; Group 4, treated orally with C. virginicus (0.2 mL/kg/day) + CCl₄; and Group 5, co-treated orally with saffron and C. virginicus + CCl₄. Hepatoprotective effects were assessed by measuring serum hepatic enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was evaluated as a marker of oxidative stress to monitor hypoxic conditions. Rats receiving the treatments showed significant recovery in body weight and a decline in hepatic enzyme levels compared to the CCl₄-only group. These results indicate that saffron and C. virginicus crude bark tincture exhibit significant hepatoprotective effects, mitigating CCl₄-induced liver injury.