TITLE:
Aqueous Extract of Erythrina senegalensis Exhibits Dose-Dependent Hepatoprotective Activity on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Rats
AUTHORS:
Patience Chwe Igeh, Elkanah Ishaku, Jacob Gungsat Nangbes, Solomon Choji, Francis Obiora Okonkwo
KEYWORDS:
Hepatoprotective, Erythrina senegalensis, Hepatotoxicity, Paracetamol, Oxidative Stress
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Biological Chemistry,
Vol.12 No.2,
April
22,
2022
ABSTRACT: Erythrina senegalensis is
utilized in the treatment of liver diseases in folklore medicine in most of
northern Nigeria, but sufficient pharmacological-based and peer-reviewed
scientific literature is not available to authenticate its use in the treatment
of liver ailments. This research is aimed at assessing the hepatoprotective
effects of Erythrina senegalensis against paracetamol-induced (PCM-induced) hepatotoxicity in wistar albino rats.
This was evaluated by estimating the activities of alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as
compared with the control group. The extract was concentrated and then desired
concentrations of extracts were made by dissolving in normal saline. Four
different doses of aqueous extracts Erythrina
senegalensis (200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg) were administered orally for 6
consecutive days after the 72 hrs
administration of paracetamol (1500 mg/kg) per body weight. Paracetamol
significantly induced oxidative stress in the liver, ultimately leading to
increased serum levels of liver enzyme markers like alanine aminotransferase,
aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Administration of the
extracts showed significant (p 0.05) and dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity resulting in decrease
in the activity of ALT, AST and ALP. These data revealed that Erythrina senegalensis aqueous extracts possess significant hepatoprotective
activity against PCM-induced toxicity
attributable to its constituent phytochemicals. The mechanism of
hepatoprotection seems to be through the modulation of antioxidant enzyme
systems.