HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF Crateva adansonni AGAINST PARACETAMOL-INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE IN ALBINO RATS

Traditional medicine of plant origin is the commonly used method of treatment for a variety of health-related challenges. This traditional medicine plays a dominant role in primary health care in many developing countries. Hence this study is aim at investigating the hepatoprotective potential of methanol leaf extract of Crateva adansonii in albino rat’s model. C. adansonii was obtained from Zuru L.G.A, Kebbi state. The plant material was washed with clean water and air dried at room temperature before it was grinded into powdered from. The powdered sample was then subjected to methanol extraction to obtain a crude extract before being screened for qualitative phytochemicals. The results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides etc. similarly, the acute toxicity of the plant extract was investigated using fixed limit test dose at 3000mg/kg, the plant was however found to be nontoxic after close observation on the experimental animals. The hepatoprotective potential of the plant was assayed against paracetamol induced hepatic damage. A total of 30 albino rats were divided into 6 groups of five where Liver toxicity was induced by oral administration of paracetamol 500mg/kg body weight. Group I (negative control) were given distilled water 2ml/kg, group II were administered paracetamol (500 mg/kg body weight) and served as disease control, group III received standard drug silymarin 100mg/kg and served as positive control, group IV, V and VI received paracetamol 500mg/kg body weight and the extract of C. adansonii at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight respectively. The results obtained revealed a dose dependent hepatoprotective activity of the plant extract. This result was validated by the results of the histological analyses of the liver. The result of this research suggest that the methanol leaf extract of C. adansonii possess hepatoprotective activity and is thus a potential remedy for the treatment of hepatic damage. The findings of this study indicate that the methanol leaf of extract of C. adansonii at a dose of 400 mg/kg exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity by reducing elevated levels of liver biomarker enzymes. Published by Faculty of Life Sciences Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero Nigeria.

Keywords: Crateva, Hepatoprotective, Paracetamol, Leaf, Activity.