The effect of the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora on paracetamol induced liver damage in albino rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. A total of 20 albino rats of the Wister strain weighing 120-180g were used for the study. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5-rats each (I-IV). Groups I, II and III served as the normal, paracetamol and plant extract controls and were administered with normal saline, 500mgkg-1 of paracetamol and 300mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days while rats in group IV served as the treatment group and were pre-treated with 300mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days before 500mg/kg of paracetamol was administered on the 8th day. At the end of the experimental period, blood was obtained from each rat for the determination of serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and bilirubin. Biochemical analysis of the serum obtained showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and Albumin in rats administered with 500mg/kg of paracetamol and 300mg/kg of the extract respectively. Pre-treatment of the animals with the extract caused a decrease in the levels of these enzymes. Histopathological assessments of the liver sections of rats administered with 500mg/kg of paracetamol and 300mg/kg of the extract showed congestion of the venous sinusoids, necrosis, edema, mononuclear infiltration and cloudy swellings with the severity higher in the paracetamol treated group. Pre-treatment with 300mg/kg of the extract revealed a slight hepatoprotection compared with the rats that were administered with paracetamol alone. This study has shown that the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora possesses slight hepatoprotective property. © Physiological Society of Nigeria, 2009.