none 10.31254/phyto.2025.14406 BioMed Research Publishers BioMed Research Publishers 16195 184331102 316921 20251025020154379 10.31254 2025-10-25T02:01:59Z 2025-10-25T02:01:57Z 0 The Journal of Phytopharmacology J Phytopharmacol 2320480X 10.31254/phyto https://phytopharmajournal.com/ 09 30 2025 14 4 Nchouwet Moïse Legentil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8025-7716 Pena Gangwon Barmbaye https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6258-6315 Djamila Zouheira https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4232-4156 Douho Djimeli Cyril Rostand https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4675-9656 Sylviane Laure Poualeu Kamani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5442-3576 Ngnokam Wansi Sylvie Léa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5584-7095 Background: Hepatotoxicity refers to a substance's ability to cause liver tissue damage. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Rumex bequaertii De Wild leaf aqueous extract on diclofenac-induced liver damage in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male rats were divided into six groups of six rats each: a neutral control group received distilled water, a negative control group received diclofenac (25 mg/kg), a positive control group received diclofenac and silymarin (25 mg/kg), two groups received the extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg with diclofenac, and a last group received only the extract at 100 mg/kg. Treatments lasted five days during which silymarin and the extract were administered every day, while diclofenac was given only during the last three days. After treatment, animals were fasted for 12 hours and sacrificed. Blood was collected, and serum was used to measure biochemical parameters. The liver was also collected for oxidative stress evaluation and histological analysis. Results: Results showed that diclofenac treatment significantly increased (p<0.01; p<0.001) ALAT, ASAT, PAL, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while decreasing significantly (p<0.01; p<0.001) HDL cholesterol. Diclofenac increased also hepatic MDA and NO levels and reduced antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, SOD, and GSH). Moreover, marked histopathological changes were observed in the negative control group. In contrast, pre-treatment with silymarin and Rumex bequaertii extract protected liver tissue from oxidative stress, pathological variations in liver function markers and disruption of its ultrastructure. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rumex bequaertii De Wild may be exploited as a promising solution to develop an affordable and effective treatment that could thus offer a valuable alternative in combating drug-induced liver damage. 09 30 2025 267 273 1 10.31254/biomed-crossmark-policy www.biomedresearch.org false 10.31254/phyto.2025.14406 https://phytopharmajournal.com/articles/abstracts/834/year=2025&vol=14&issue=4