Hepatoprotective effects of methanol leaf extract of pterocarpus santalinoides DC on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in Albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

The effects of methanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides DC was investigated on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced sub-acute liver damage (hepatotoxicity) in albino rats. Forty two adultmale albino ratswere used for the study, 12 for the acute toxicity study and 30 for the sub-acute hepatotoxicity study. The 30 rats used for the sub-acute hepatotoxicity study were randomly assigned into six groups (A – F) of 5 rats each as follows: Group A – APAP+distilledwater placebo (negative control),Groups B,CandD–APAP+50, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight (bw) Pterocarpus santalinoides methanol extract (PSME) respectively, Group E – APAP + 100 mg/kg bw silymarin (positive control), and Group F – distilled water placebo only (normal control). The APAP was given at 3000 mg/kg bw orally at the beginning of the study (day 0) and after every 72 hours for 12 days, while treatment with PSME and silymarin was done orally twice daily for 15 days. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity evaluation followed standard procedures. Assay of serum enzymes, total serum protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol and bilirubin, and liver weight percentage of body weight of the rats was done at the end of the 15-day experimental period following standard procedures. The PSME had high levels of tannins, moderate levels of flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates and reducing sugars, and low levels of alkaloids. The LD was above 5000 mg/kg bw. Treatment with PSME at the dose of 500 mg/kg bw significantly lowered (P < 0.05) serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities, cholesterol and bilirubin levels, and liver weight percentage of body weight when compared to the negative control,while treatment at the dose of 250mg/kg bw only led to significantly lower (P<0.05) serum levels of cholesterol and bilirubin when compared to the negative control. It was concluded that treatment of acetaminophen-induced sub-acute hepatotoxicity in albino rats with 500 mg/kg bw PSME significantly protected the hepatocellular integrity and ameliorated impaired hepatic excretory function.