Protective Effect of Myrianthus Arboreus Leaves Aqueous Extract in AcetaminophenInduced Liver Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

Nwachoko N, Essien EB and Ayalogu EO

Owning to changes in living pattern of humans and constant environmental changes, different life challenging diseases now exist. Traditional system has clam that some of these diseases could be cured with plant. Plants and their components are source of large amount of drugs. This study was design to examine the protective effect of Myrianthus arboreus leaves extract against acetaminophen induced liver toxicity in rats. A suspension of 750 mg/kg acetaminophen was administered once every 72 hours to induce toxicity in the rats. Oral administration of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight of the extract and 100 mg/kg of silymarine (reference drug) were administered for 10 days. The result of effect of pretreatment with Myrianthus aboreus leaves on the enzyme makers of tissue damage in acetaminophen induced toxicity showed significant different when compared with the result of group induced without pretreatment. The values of AST, ALT and ALP in the untreated group significantly (p<0.05) increased. Elevated serum level in these enzymes revealed the integrity and functionality of the liver. Thus the increased value of these enzymes indicates damage to the liver by the induced acetaminophen. Also the values of non-enzyme markers (T.B., ALB and TG) for the treated groups decreased when compared with the untreated group. The significant different in the values between the groups pretreated with Myrianthus aboreus leaves and the untreated group showed that MA extract could protect the liver.

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