Abstract

LIVER FUNCTION OF WISTAR RATS FED THE COMBINED ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF ALCHORNEA CORDIFOLIA AND COSTUS AFER IN PARACETAMOL-INDUCED TOXICITY

Arhoghro E. M.*, Ikeh C H, Eboh A.S. and Angalabiri-Owei B.

Abstract

The effect of combined ethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia (AC) and Costus afer (CA) orally administered at two doses (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg) on some biochemical parameters of rats with paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated. The sixteen rats used for the experiment were of the wistar strain and were divided into four groups of four rats each ; group A(control) received standard feed and water, while tests groups C and D in addition to standard feed and water received 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively once daily for 28 days and paracetamol on the twenty fifth day, while group B received paracetamol on the twenty fifth day only. The results obtained showed that paracetamol treated group (group B) showed a significant reduction in weight compared to group A, C and D. Analysis of hepatic enzymes also showed an increase (p < 0.05) in serum marker enzymes of hepatic damage AST, ALT, and ALP, after paracetamol administration in group B. The combined ethanolic leaf extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Costus afer brought the serum levels of these enzymes in group C and D respectively close to the control. In conclusion combined ethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia and Costus afer has hepatoprotective effects on paracetamol induced hepatoxicity in Wistar rats.

Keywords: Costus afer, Alchornea cordifolia biochemical parameters, Paracetamolinduced toxicity.