Hepatoprotective Effect of Methanol Extract of Parkia Biglobosa Leaves on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Damage in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the in-vivo hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract of Parkia biglobosa leaves. Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of 500mg/kg Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). All drugs were administered as single daily dose by oral gavage for 14 days. Animals were grouped into five (5); Group I was control which received distilled water, group II received 500mg/kg of acetaminophen, group III received 500mg/kg of acetaminophen and treated orally with 140mg/kg of the standard drug silymarin group IV and V received acetaminophen and further treated with 75mg/kg and 200mg/kg of methanolic extract of Parkia biglobosa respectively.  Phytochemical analysis of the extract was conducted using standard methods. The activity of the markers of hepatocellular injury was determined spectrophotometrically. Quantitatively, the extract has total phenols with the highest concentration (454.64±0.51) mg/g. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in liver marker enzymes after hepatic injury AST (74.55±2.16), ALT (32.16±1.90) and ALP (24.95±3.49). 75mg/kg and 200mg/kg of the extract significantly lowered (p<0.05) the increased concentration of the marker enzymes after hepatic injury. However; at 75mg/kg of the extract, there was no significant decrease (p>0.05) in AST levels. From the histological examination, the deteriorative effect induced on the liver tissue by acetaminophen was ameliorated after the administration of the extract. The protective activity of methanolic extract of Parkia biglobosa leaves is similar to the standard drug silymarin. Therefore, the extract has hepatoprotective property.