ISSN 2756-3871
International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Hepatoprotective effect of Phyllanthus niruri aqueous extract in acetaminophen sub-acutec exposure rabbits
Micah S. Makoshi1*, Isaac M. Adanyeguh2 and Loveth I. Nwatu I.3
1Drug Development Section, Biochemistry Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
2Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
3Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Accepted 16 August, 2016
Abstract
The hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri was evaluated in an acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity study using 24 male rabbits of the New Zealand White breed. The rabbits were randomly divided into six groups of 4 rabbits each. Group I served as a negative control group and was given only distilled water. Group II received only acetaminophen at 300 mg/kg. Groups III, IV and V were all given 300 mg/kg of acetaminophen followed by varying concentrations of the extract of P. niruri at 100, 50 and 25 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Group VI was the positive control for P. niruri and was given 100 mg/kg of the extract. The treatment was given every other day for 28 days. The most significant healing or hepatoprotective effect of the extract of P. niruri was seen in the group administered the extract at 25 mg/kg which showed no significant change in the liver, both grossly and histologically. In most groups, the liver enzyme assay and serum albumins and globulins levels increased slightly, except the group administered 25 mg/kg extract of P. niruri. This study showed that P. niruri has hepatoprotective properties.
Key words: Acetaminophen, hepatotoxicity, Phyllanthus niruri, hepatoprotective, rabbits.