Hepatoprotective Potential of Urochloa distachya (L.) Ethanol Extract Against Paracetamol and CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Urochloa distachya (Poaceae) is a creeping annual or short-lived perennial plant found all over India. The species is used as a feed grass for ruminants. Since most Poaceae species are small annual herbs, the entire plant and used to cure a variety of diseases. As the potential of secondary metabolites in Poaceae forage grasses, this study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of U. distachya using paracetamol and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of the Ethanol extract of Urochloa distachya (EUD) were analyzed using the HPLC method. GC-MS and LC-MS techniques were used for the detection of phytochemicals. In vitro, antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH method. In vivo, hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by administering EUD at a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight using paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride models. Molecular docking studies were carried out to predict the interaction of the identified compound with the target protein TGB- β. HPLC analysis identified nine phenolic acids (Gallic acid, Protocatechuic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Vanillic acid, Caffeic acid, Syringic acid, p-Coumaric acid, Ferulic acid, and Sinapic acid), and four flavonoids (Rutin, Quercetin, Naringenin, and Kaempferol). GC-MS revealed 19 compounds, with 1-hydroxypropane (50.36%) as the major constituent LC-MS analysis identified Betaine and (3beta,9xi)-3-(beta-D Glucopyranosyloxy)-14-hydroxycard 20(22)-enolide. EUD showed significant in vitro antioxidant (63.06 ± 0.72% inhibition). Treatment of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight reduced ALT, AST, bilirubin, and MDA levels while increasing TP, SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. Docking scores ranged from − 3.4 to -10.2, indicating strong binding affinity of the phytoconstituents. U. distachya possesses significant hepatoprotective activity by restoring liver function markers and enhancing antioxidant enzyme levels in hepatotoxicity models. The presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with strong molecular interactions, suggests the promising hepatoprotective activity of U. distachya .