Aqueous Leaf Extract of Icacina trichanta Oliv. Ameliorates CCl4- Induced Liver Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the hepatoprotective effects of Icacina. trichanta over CCl4-induced liver damage. Phytochemical analyses and determinations of ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin E and A were carried out. Consequently, thirty-five male albino rats were divided into seven groups of five rats each. They were fed rats’ chow and water ad libitum. Groups I (normal control) and III were not induced: while group I was not administered the extract, group III received 400 mg/kg b.wt I. trichanta extract. Groups II (negative control), IV, V, VI and VII were induced with 1.0 ml/kg b.wt of CCl4. Group IV was administered 100 mg/kg b.wt of silymarin, while groups V, VI and VII were administered 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg b.wt of extract respectively. Results of phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and other polyphenolics in the aqueous extract. CCl4 induction significantly raised the activities of liver function enzymes and lipid peroxidation status and this effect was ameliorated by both silymarin and the graded doses of extract. Levels of vitamin A and E were significantly raised by silymarin and the graded doses of extract when compared to the normal and negative controls. The graded doses of extract, particularly at 300 and 400 mg/kg b.wt dose levels compared favourably with silymarin in the treatment of liver damage.
Keywords: Icacina trichanta, Silymarin, Hepatoprotection, Phytochemicals, Lipid peroxidation