European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF GAMBIA ALBIDUM LEAVES ON CCL4-INDUCED HEPATOCELLULAR DAMAGE AND LIPID PROFILE IN ALBINO RATS

Aloh,G.S., *Obeagu,Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Odo Christian Emeka after, Okpara, kingsley Ezechukwu and Ugwu Getrude Uzoma

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective/antioxidant properties and lipid profiles of rats given methanol leaf extract of Gambia albidum in hexane/chloroform (4:6)-induced hepatotoxicity. The parameters assessed were the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (reduced, GSH), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), total protein, albumin, vitamins C, and E and lipoprotein fractions: HDL, LDL, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol (T.chol) levels in the positve control, negative control and the experimental rats after 10 days of extract administration. The 16 rats were divided into four groups of 4 rats per group (A-D): Groups A and B rats were given 250mg and 500mg of the extract per kg body weight respectively once daily for 10 days after inducing hepatotoxicity. Group C rats were given 2.0 ml of C6H14/CHCl3 without any treatment, which caused a significant elevation (p<0.05) in the levels of MDA, AST and ALT, indicators of lipid peroxidation and hepatocellular damage. Group D rats received neither the hepatotoxicant nor any treatment but given feed and water only. After 10 days of extract administration, the Group A rats (given 250mg/kgbw) showed significant (p<0.05) increase in MDA and AST and decrease in TAG and CAT levels compared to the positive control (Group D) while T.chol and GSH increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the negative control (Group C). The Group B rats (given 500mg/kgbw) showed significant (p<0.05) increase in AST compared to the positive control and a significant (p<0.05) decrease in GSH and CAT compared to the negative control, and TAG compared to the positive control. HDL and VIT C in Groups A and B showed a dose-dependent increase compared to Group C but non-significant (p>0.05). Also Groups A and B had a dose-dependent decrease in ALT level close to Group D level. Other parameters tested did not show any significant difference. The results of this study indicate that methanol extract of G. albidum exerted mild hepatoprotection and antilipidemic properties.

Keywords: Hepatoprotective/antioxidant, Gambia albidum, antilipidemic properties.