Hepatoprotective Effects of Baccaurea motleyana Fruit Extract Against CCl4‐Induced Liver Injury in Rats: In Vivo Evaluation and GC–MS Phytochemical Profiling

Abstract

Over 25% of people worldwide have liver illnesses, which kill nearly 2 million. This study assessed the hepatoprotective potential of Baccaurea motleyana fruit acetone extract (BMF‐AE) against CCl4‐induced liver injury. GC–MS phytochemical profiling identified nine metabolites, with linoleic acid ethyl ester, quercetin, and gallic acid as predominant bioactives known for hepatoprotective activity. The antioxidant activity of BMF‐AE was significant in DPPH and ABTS assays, with IC50 values of 112.55 and 127 µg/mL, respectively. In vivo hepatoprotective efficacy was assessed in five groups (n = 5) that received oral BMF‐AE (200 or 400 mg/kg) for 14 days. Positive control was 100 mg/kg silymarin. The CCl4‐induced increase in serum ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin was dramatically reduced, while BMF‐AE restored albumin levels (p < 0.05). Treatment reduced hepatic TBARS and restored glutathione and catalase activity, reducing oxidative stress. Histopathological investigation demonstrated maintained liver architecture in treated rats. Molecular docking analysis revealed that quercetin and linoleic acid ethyl ester bind strongly to targets of oxidative stress and inflammation, including xanthine oxidoreductase, interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and PARP‐1, suggesting potential hepatoprotective effects. BMF‐AE may be a promising natural therapy for oxidative stress‐mediated liver injury, according to this study, due to its antioxidant phytoconstituents.