Characteristics and Hepatoprotective Activity of the Curcuma heyneana Rhizome Extract toward Wistar Rats Induced by Ethanol

Background: Curcuma heyneana (Valeton Zijp.) or temu giring has various pharmacological activities. However, its hepatoprotective activity toward ethanol induction has never been carried out. Objectives: The objective of this research was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the C. heyneana rhizome extract toward Wistar rats induced by ethanol. Methods: The research was initiated with the determination of curcuminoid content, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and characterization of extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hepatoprotective activity was tested using the C. heyneana extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg with 5 g/kg ethanol as an inducer. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), liver weight, and macroscopic and microscopic liver were used as parameters. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The curcuminoid content of the extract was 1.18% (w/w). Total phenolic content of the C. heyneana extract was 400.37 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g sample, while total flavonoid content was 27.25 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g sample. Nine compounds were identified in the extract. Administration of the extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg kept the liver normal. It was identified macroscopically from the dark red color without any white spot and normal liver weight. Furthermore, at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, the extract inhibited AST and ALT elevation, which was significantly different from the negative control group (P lt; 0.05). The extract also prevented hepatocyte injury that was seen microscopically. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the C. heyneana extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg is effective as hepatoprotective in the liver injury induced by ethanol.