European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AQUEOUS EXTRACT (SOBO) ON LIVER MARKER ENZYMES IN PARACETAMOL-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS

Umoren E. B.*, Kolawole T. A., Ekpenyong J. F., Oyama O. E. and Obembe A. O.

ABSTRACT

The hepatoregenerative properties of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa in Paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated. 30 adult albino Wistar rats (100-200g body weight) were used for the study. Rats in the control group (n =10) were fed normal rat chow, rats in group B (Paracetamol-treated group, n=10) were administered Paracetamol intraperitoneally at a dose of 750 mg/kg body weight while those in group C were administered Paracetamol 750 mg/ kg body weight + 10 ml/Kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of H. sabdariffa orally for 4 weeks. All animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water. At the expiration of the treatment regime, serum levels of Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were examined. AST in the Paracetamol + H. sabdariffa-treated group was significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the control and Paracetamol- treated groups respectively. ALT in the Paracetamol-treated group was significantly lower (p< 0.05) than the control and Paracetamol + H. sabdariffa-treated groups respectively. ALP in the Paracetamol treated group was significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the control group. It was however significantly lower (p< 0.05) than in the Paracetamol + H. sabdariffa-treated group. In conclusion, results of the study revealed that the aqueous extract administration of H. sabdariffa could not confer its hepatoregenerative property in rats challenged with Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Paracetamol, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Alkaline phoshpatase, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine amino transferees.