Haematopoietic induction and hepatic protective roles of Hepacare® in CCl₄-induced hepatic damaged rats

Herbal formulations are plant parts used as raw materials for self-administered pharmaceutical remedies, and many of them are being sold without any scientific validation for their potency and efficacy. This research work was aimed at evaluating the haematopoietic, biochemical, and histological effects of Hepacare®, a popularly sold herbal formulation in Nigeria against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-mediated liver damage in rats. Haematological analysis showed significant reduction (p < 0.05) in haemoglobin, red blood cell, packed cell volume, and platelet counts in CCl₄-treated group when compared with the untreated group. These parameters were however reversed across the groups treated with the herbal formulation. Levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after treatment of rats with the formulation which were previously elevated (p < 0.05) in the CCl₄-treated group when compared with the untreated group. The CCl₄-treated group exhibited significantly different activities in liver SOD and GSH enzymes. The level of MDA was lowered in the liver tissue samples of treated rats when compared with the CCl₄-exposed untreated rats. The groups treated with the formulation showed signs of protection against this toxicant as evidenced by the absence of necrosis. Hepacare® showed reversal effects on the previously increased haematological parameters and damaged liver tissues with a potential to ameliorate oxidative stress in hepatic dysfunction.