The effect of ethanol extract of
Pyrenacantha staudtii
leaves on carbontetrachloride (CCl
4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats was studied. Sixteen male wistar rats of 100-170g body weight divided into four groups of four rats each, designated – group I, II, III and IV were used. Groups II, III and IV were injected intraperitoneally with 5ml/kg body weight of CCl
4; control was injected with 5ml/kg body weight corn oil. After 48hrs, groups III and IV were administered with 750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively and the rats sacrificed after 5 days. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponnins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids and resin. Result from the study showed that both concentrations of the extract (750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced (P < 0.05) CCl
4 induced elevations in the liver enzymes- alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in a dose dependent manner. CCl
4 induced increases in total and conjugated bilirubin were also significantly lowered by the extract. These results show that the extract of
Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves has protective effect against CCl
4 induced liver toxicity and damage.
