Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Potential of Fraxinus hookeri Wenz. Against CCl 4 ‐Induced Oxidative and Genotoxic Liver Damage in Rats

ABSTRACT Background Considering its long‐standing ethnomedicinal applications in managing diverse human disorders, this study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective efficacy of Fraxinus hookeri Wenz. ( F. hookeri) in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods 48 rats were randomly divided into eight groups ( n = 6/group). The Control group received no treatment, the DMSO group received vehicles: DMSO (3 mL/kg) orally and 30% olive oil intraperitoneally. Except for Control and DMSO, all groups co‐administered CCl 4 (3 mL/kg b.w.) intraperitoneally twice weekly for four weeks. The CCl 4 group received just CCl 4 intraperitoneally, whereas the Rutin group received 50 mg/kg Rutin orally as a reference botanical drug. Groups ‘FHMEa’ and ‘FHMEb’ received F. hookeri Methanolic Extract (FHME), and Groups ‘FHNHa’ and ‘FHNHb’ received F. hookeri n‐hexane Extract (FHNH) orally at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. respectively. Hepatoprotection was assessed via serum biochemical indices, antioxidant enzyme activities, genotoxicity, and histopathology. Results CCl 4 administration significantly elevated ( p < 0.05) serum hepatic markers (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH) and lipid profile parameters (TC, TG, LDL) while reducing HDL levels. F. hookeri treatment markedly normalized ( p < 0.05) these alterations. Similarly, CCl 4 reduced ( p < 0.05) antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, and CAT) activities and increased ( p < 0.05) TBARS, genotoxicity, and histological tissue damage, all of which were normalized (p < 0.05) by F. hookeri . Conclusion Collectively, the findings confirm the hepatoprotective and antioxidant efficacy of F. hookeri against CCl 4 ‐induced hepatotoxicity, supporting its use as a natural candidate for hepatoprotection.