Biochemical Assessment of the Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract Of Euphorbia Heterophylla Linn on Hepatocytes of Rats

Abstract

In recent years, the search for biologically active compounds from Euphorbia heterophylla in the treatment of different diseases has always been of great interest to researchers. In this present study, we investigated the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of the plant on hepatocytes using animal models. A total of twenty (20) wistar albino rats (150-240g) were used for the study. The rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (A, B, C & D) comprising five rats per group. The control group was administered deionised water while the treatment groups were orally administered doses of the aqueous leaf extract of the plant(100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg body weights) by means of a gavage for two weeks. Total protein, albumin, urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were the biochemical parameters assessed in this study. The results showed no significant difference(p>0.05 in the levels of the aforementioned parameters. The aqueous leaf extract of the plant indicated the presence of carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids, but anthracene derivatives were absent. The results obtained in this study, therefore, justify the traditional use of the plant for food and medicinal purposes respectively.