Hepatoprotective effects of on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity: In silico/in vivo approach.

L. is a well-known therapeutic plant in Nepal, employed in traditional medicine for treating liver ailments. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo and in silico liver-protective effects of extract using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced hepatic damage rat model. Healthy male rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control (distilled water 10 mL/kg), toxic control (distilled water 10 mL/kg), standard test (silymarin 100 mg/kg), and three groups receiving oral extracts (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day) for seven days. On the eighth day, carbon tetrachloride (CCl) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) (1.5 mL/kg in 1:1 olive oil ratio for all groups, except the normal control). Rats were sacrificed on the ninth day, and blood was collected retro-orbitally for liver blood injury tests and histopathological studies. Molecular docking was performed against cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP450 2E1) enzyme for 16 selected phytoconstituents. , at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, significantly reduced liver enzyme levels (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, direct bilirubin, and total bilirubin), while increasing serum albumin. Histological analysis revealed mitigation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver injury, reducing fatty degeneration and necrosis. Molecular docking supported the findings, with Beta-sitosterol and Betulinic acid exhibiting the best binding affinity of -9.2 and -9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. In conclusion, result suggests that showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity in CCl-induced hepatotoxicity and it could be utilized as a promising hepatoprotective agent. This study suggests the hepatoprotective potential of bark extracts, emphasizing the need for further clinical validation.