Protective and therapeutic effects of orange-fleshed sweet potato (ipomoea batatas) juice against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury remains a major global health challenge due to the widespread use of hepatotoxic drugs and environmental toxins. The present study investigated the hepatoprotective and hepatocurative effects of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) juice in thioacetamide-induced liver injury in rats. Sixty male Wistar rats (80-120 g) were used for both preventive and curative experimental models. Animals were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6): normal control, untreated control, standard drug (silymarin 50 mg/kg), and two treatment groups receiving OFSP juice (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg body weight). Liver function biomarkers including total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated using standard biochemical assays. Hematological indices and liver histopathology were also assessed. Administration of thioacetamide produced significant elevations in serum AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin levels compared with the normal control group (p < 0.05), and indicating hepatocellular injury. Treatment with OFSP juice significantly reduced these biochemical markers in both preventive and curative models. Furthermore, OFSP administration significantly improved hematological parameters including haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, red blood cell count, and platelet count. Histopathological examination revealed severe hepatocellular degeneration and inflammatory infiltration in untreated animals, whereas OFSP-treated groups showed substantial preservation of hepatic architecture. The findings suggest that OFSP juice possesses significant hepatoprotective and hepatocurative properties, potentially related to its antioxidant and membrane-protecting properties. These results support the potential therapeutic value of OFSP as a functional dietary component in the prevention and management of liver injury.