Abstract

BIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF THE TOTAL AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE LEAVES OF DESMODIUM ADSCENDENS (SWARTZ) DC ON HEPATOTOXICITY INDUCED WITH PARACETAMOL IN WISTAR RATS

D. Kassim*, G. G. C. G. Nanti and D. D. Koudou

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Abstract

Context and Objective: Hepatitis, today has become a deadly disease despite the modern medicine. This reason pushed people to use medicinal plants. In this work, the hepato-protective activity Desmodium adscendens leaves was so studied, after paracetamol overdose in Wistar rats. Methodology: Thirty-six (36) rats are divided in six groups with six rats each. The group 1 received distilled water; we administered paracetamol 200 mg/kg BW in the group 2; the group 3 received paracetamol 200 mg/kg BW followed by vitamin C 100 mg/kg BW; the group 4 received paracetamol 200 mg/kg BW followed by the extract 100 mg/kg BW; we administered paracetamol 200 mg/kg BW followed by the extract 200 mg/kg BW in the group 5 and the group 6 received paracetamol 200 mg/kg BW followed by the extract 400 mg/kg BW. Fifteen days are used to induce hepatitis and fifteen more days for the treatment. We collected the blood samples on the 2nd, 17th and 32nd day. Rats are subsequently sacrificed, the livers removed to study the physical characteristics. Results: Our results showed a dose-dependent action of the total aqueous extract. The total extract at 400 mg/kg BW reduced significantly the levels of transaminases (aspartate amino transferase (ASAT) and alanine amino transferase (ALAT)), alkaline phosphatase and blood sugar compared to the group of rats treated only with paracetamol. However, the decreasing action of the aqueous extract on direct bilirubin and total bilirubin is slight. The total aqueous extract almost restored the physical characteristics (weight, color, consistency and texture) of the liver poisoned following an overdose of paracetamol. Conclusion: These studies showed the hepatoprotective effect of the total aqueous extract of the leaves of Desmodium adscendens.

Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, Hepatitis, Paracetamol.