Qualitative And Hplc Phytochemical Screening Of Salvia Hians Crude Extract For Its Hepato-Protective Potential In Animal Model

Abstract

Background: Salvia hians is traditionally recognized for its therapeutic potential, but comprehensive evaluation of its phytochemical constituents and hepatoprotective properties remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the qualitative phytochemical composition, HPLC profile, acute toxicity, and dose-dependent hepatoprotective efficacy of Salvia hians crude extract (SH-Crd) in an animal model of paracetamol-induced liver injury.

Methods: Qualitative screening was conducted to identify key secondary metabolites in the methanolic extract. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to quantify major phenolic acids, flavonoids, and diterpenoids, as well as total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Acute toxicity testing was performed in two phases up to  body weight over a 24-hour observation period. The hepatoprotective efficacy of SH-Crd (, , and ) was evaluated against paracetamol toxicity using serum biomarker analysis (SGPT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin) and liver histopathological examination, comparing results with standard Silymarin ().

Results: Qualitative phytochemical testing revealed a rich presence of flavonoids () and phenolic compounds (), alongside moderate levels () of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, and carbohydrates. HPLC analysis demonstrated high concentrations of rosmarinic acid ( extract;  abundance), luteolin-7-O-glucuronide (; ), and salvianolic acid B (; ), with TPC and TFC values of  GAE and  QE, respectively. SH-Crd displayed complete safety with zero mortality across all doses (–). In paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, SH-Crd treatment yielded dose-dependent restoration of functional serum markers. The  dose achieved the highest hepatoprotection, significantly reducing SGPT (), AST (), ALP (), and total bilirubin () to levels comparable to the Silymarin reference group. Histopathological evaluation confirmed that  SH-Crd effectively attenuated severe hepatocellular degeneration, inflammation, sinusoidal dilation, and necrosis to preserve near-normal liver architecture.

Conclusion: Salvia hians crude extract exhibits a non-toxic profile and strong dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver injury. These effects are likely driven by its substantial concentration of antioxidant polyphenols, including rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, and luteolin derivatives.