HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND POLYPEPTIDE ASSESSMENT DURING DIETHYLNITROSAMINE-INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE AND PROTECTION BY CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT (CSLE) IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

The present study focused on the phytotherapeutic efficacy of Camellia sinensis leaf extract (CSLE) against hepatotoxicity induced by diethylnitrosamine in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups: control (normal saline, 0.9%/kg bwt), CSLE (20 mg/kg bwt), DEN (diethylnitrosamine, 1%/kg bwt), and D + CSLE (diethylnitrosamine, 1% once, and CSLE, 20 mg/kg bwt daily for 2 weeks). Liver tissue and blood serum were utilized for histological and protein profiling respectively. Administration of DEN significantly reduces rat body weight and alters the liver-to-body weight ratio. It also affects liver function and serum protein content, as assessed by spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis. Histopathological evaluation marked a detrimental effect by DEN and significant restoration with CSLE as observed by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. The CSLE restored body and liver weight dynamics and restored the expression of polypeptides in silver-staining liver gel profiles. The findings showed that the CSLE exerts rapid and potent hepatoprotection against DEN-induced liver injury by safeguarding structural integrity and protein expression.