ISSN 2169-303X
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of leaves of Acalypha racemosa in carbon tetrachloride treated rats
Iniaghe, O. M.1*, Malomo, S. O.2, and Adebayo, J. O.2
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma , Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Accepted 16 October, 2019
Abstract
The effects of simultaneous treatment of CCl4 (i.p) with 60 mg/kg (p.o) of aqueous extract of leaves of Acalypha racemosa on rat liver was evaluated. Analysis of serum ALT and AST activities with those of the concentrations of albumin, total protein, unconjugated and total bilirubin were carried out. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of liver was determined to investigate a probable mechanism of action of the extract. Administration of CCl4 alone to rats significantly increased total bilirubin concentration and the activities of ALT and AST (p < 0.05) in the serum while it significantly reduced (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin concentrations when compared with controls which received distilled water (p.o). Also it significantly increased (p < 0.05) liver MDA content when compared with control. However, simultaneous treatment of CCl4 with 60 mg/kg of the aqueous extract significantly reversed (p < 0.05) these changes. Results of MDA content of liver homogenates suggest that a probable mechanism of action of the extract is antioxidation. Histopathological studies were carried out on the liver to confirm the observed changes
Key words: Acalypha racemosa, aqueous extract, hepatoprotective property, antioxidant effect, carbon tetrachloride, liver.