Therapeutic Effect of Clitoria ternatea on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis: A Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Study

Humans are often exposed to extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors that deleteriously threaten the liver, which is the most detoxifying organ in the body. The deposition of metabolite wastes and infections consequently induces an immune response, which induces activation of matrix metalloproteinase that gradually deposits collagen fibers and converts the liver, if not suitably treated, into a nonfunctional mass of fibers. Many previous studies have used Clitorea ternatea (C. ternatea) as a natural therapeutic agent. Here, we investigate its hepatoprotective effect and its relevance to matrix metalloproteinase-9. Sixty adult male albino rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n= 10): (1) negative control; (2) Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced fibrosis (positive control); (3) CCl₄ + Livagoal (200 mg/kg/day); (4) CCl₄ + Clitoria ternatea (200 mg/kg/day); (5) CCl₄ + C. ternatea (400 mg/kg/day); and (6) CCl₄ + combined therapy (C. ternatea 400 mg/kg/day plus Livagoal). Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ (1 ml, twice weekly) for four weeks, followed by oral treatments for four weeks. All animals underwent histopathological analysis, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) immunostaining, and liver function tests. CCl₄ significantly elevated AST and ALT while decreasing total protein and albumin, confirming hepatic injury. Histopathology showed marked necrosis, inflammation, and fibrotic expansion, with strong MMP9 expression and pronounced DNA fragmentation. Treatment with C. ternatea, particularly at 400 mg/kg, and combined therapy significantly improved liver enzymes, reduced MMP9 expression, and decreased apoptotic DNA damage. Livagoal showed moderate improvement. Overall, C. ternatea 400 mg/kg demonstrated pronounced hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, and anti-apoptotic effects. These results present C. ternatea as a hepatoprotective agent, and this could pave the way for future treatment strategies in liver disease. The profound reduction in MMP9 immunoreactivity to near-normal levels in C. ternatea-treated animals, surpassing the effect of Livagoal, underscores its potential as a novel natural antifibrotic treatment.