Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Effects of Solanium aethiopicum Leaf Extract in Potassium Bromate Induced Toxicity

*¹Okon Victoria Edem; ¹Idam Benedict Umagu and ²Ijioma Solomon Nnah

¹Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Okuku Campus, Cross River State, Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

Correspondence: Okon, Victoria Edem; E-mail: okonvictoria40@gmail.com; victoriaokon@unicross.edu.ng; Phone number: 08030946619

Abstract

Potassium bromate (KBr) is a potent oxidizing agent that induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatic injury. This study evaluated the protective effects of Solanum aethiopicum leaf extract against KBr-induced alterations in liver function and inflammatory cytokines in Wistar rats. Thirty Wistar rats (140–150 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6): normal control, KBr (50 mg/kg), KBr + S. aethiopicum extract (300 mg/kg), KBr + S. aethiopicum extract (600 mg/kg), and KBr + vitamin C (100 mg/kg). Potassium bromate was administered for two weeks before treatment with the extract or vitamin C. Serum liver function indices (total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin) and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β and TNF-α) were determined using standard spectrophotometric methods. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Potassium bromate significantly disrupted liver function parameters and reduced (P < 0.05) IL-1β levels compared with the control, indicating hepatic dysfunction and impaired inflammatory homeostasis. Treatment with S. aethiopicum extract significantly restored IL-1β concentrations while maintaining TNF-α levels comparable to the control. The extract also ameliorated KBr-induced alterations in serum proteins and bilirubin. In conclusion, S. aethiopicum leaf extract protected against potassium bromate-induced hepatic dysfunction and inflammatory disturbances, supporting its potential as a natural hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory agent. Further studies are recommended to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action.

Keywords: inflammation, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, potassium bromate, Solanum aethiopicum.

CITE AS: Okon Victoria Edem; Idam Benedict Umagu and Ijioma Solomon Nnah (2026). Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Effects of Solanium aethiopicum Leaf Extract in Potassium Bromate Induced Toxicity. IAA Journal of Biological Sciences 14(2):1-11.            https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJB/2026/142111