European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECTS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF PAULLINIA PINNATA ON LIVER ENZYMES, OXIDATIVE STRESS AND WHITE BLOOD CELL DIFFERENTIALS IN CCl4-INDUCED TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Ukoro Blessing*, Olayinka A. P., Harrison Ogheneochuko E. and Ebeku A. C.

ABSTRACT

Paullinia Pinnata is a plant introduced to tropical Africa and has been reported to be useful in folkloric medicine. The current study investigated the effects of methanolic extract of the leaf of Paullinia Pinnata against CCl4 – induced hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress and white blood cell differentials in Wistar rats. Twenty Five (25) rats arbitrarily appropriated into five groups (1-5). Group 1 served as control. Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were were separately actuated intraperitoneally with single organization of 2 ml/kg (b. wt) CCl4. Twenty Four hours after induction, the rats in groups 3, 4 and 5 were orally treated with 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150 mg/kg b. wt. of Methanol extract from Paullinia. pinnata respectively, once daily for 28 days while the rats in group 2 were left untreated. Levels of liver function indices and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were determined. Administration of methanolic extract from Paullinia Pinnata significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated CCl4- induced hepatotoxicity with respect to liver function indices as ALP, ALT, AST and GGT reduces in a dose-dependent manner and oxidative stress markers such as SOD, GPX and CAT increases but that of MDA reduces. There was also significant increase in total white blood cell and differential white blood cell counts. The study suggests that methanolic extract of Paullinia Pinnata leaf is a potential hepatoprotective agent against CCl4-mediated hepatic injury through fortification of antioxidant defense mechanisms and increased immune response.

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