en اتنوفارماکولوژی Ehtnopharmacology پژوهشي Original Research <div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background</strong>: Lantana camara is used traditionally against liver ailments, but scientific evidence for its hepatoprotective effects is limited.&nbsp;<br> Objectives: This study evaluates the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic leaf extract of L. camara against acetaminophen-(APAP) induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolics (5.03%), alkaloids (4.30%), saponins (6.14%), tannins (3.81%) and flavonoids (3.54%) in the extract. Methanolic leaf extract of L. camara was administered orally to rats at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg doses for 5 days before APAP challenge at 750 mg/kg. Serum liver enzymes, proteins, bilirubin and histopathology were assessed to determine the extent of liver injury and protection.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Results</strong>: APAP administration caused significant (P<0.05) elevation of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) (89.57&plusmn;6.90 U/L), alanine transaminase (ALT) (35.61&plusmn;0.81 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (124.90&plusmn;1.94 U/L), and bilirubin levels along with a reduction of total protein (57.77&plusmn;0.73 g/L) and albumin levels (25.21&plusmn;1.08 g/L). It also induced severe hepatocellular necrosis and inflammation. Pretreatment with 300 mg/kg extract dose conferred optimal protection by normalizing enzyme activities (AST: 58.61&plusmn;2.88 U/L, ALT: 23.57&plusmn;1.71 U/L, ALP: 92.99&plusmn;9.87 U/L) and liver function biomarkers (total protein: 80.42&plusmn;1.72 g/L, albumin: 27.79&plusmn;1.91 g/L). It also preserved near-normal liver tissue architecture with minimal necrosis, indicating its antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties.<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: The findings validate the ethnomedicinal use of L. camara and indicate its potential for development as an affordable therapy for APAP overdose liver damage.</div> Lantana camara, Acetaminophen, Antioxidants, Phytochemicals, Acute liver injury 135 146 http://pbr.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1253-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Hyelda Stephen mscbch200435@student.mau.edu.ng 100319475328460010412 0009-0009-6844-3872 Yes Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Nigeria. Balaraba Bello jaafariyya@mau.edu.ng 100319475328460010413 0009-0001-7549-7678 No Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Nigeria.