Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Gongronema latifolium on Selected Tissues of Rabbits Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Gongronema
latifolium on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rabbits. The experimental animals were divided into four groups with
Group I being normal control animals and Group II Carbon tetrachloride-treated control animals. Animals in group III and IV were
given ethanolic extract of Gongronema latifolium (200 mg/Kg. body weight and 400 mg/Kg body weight respectively for ten days
prior to carbon tetrachloride challenge. One ml/kg of a 1:1 carbon tetrachloride: olive oil preparation was administered orally
following an overnight fast to animals in groups II, III and IV on day 11 of the study. The results obtained revealed that CCl4 caused a
significant increase (p < 0.05) in the plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase,
Lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase. Conversely, the levels of these enzymes were significantly lower in the liver
ofCCl4-treated animals relative to controls. Treatment with ethanolic extract of G. Latifolium provided significant degree of protection
from the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity, with the 400mg/Kg body weight treatment being the more effective dose.