Ameliorative Effect of the Flavonoid Rich Fraction of Monodora myristica (Gaertn) Dunel Seed Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

The study investigated the protective effect of the flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) of M. myristica on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in experimental animals. Wistar albino rats of both sexes were maintained on 1.0 ml/kg b.wt of carbon tetrachloride to induce hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Added to this, the animals received FRF at a dose of 250 or 500 and 100 mg/kg b.wt of silymarin for 8 days. At the end of the experiment, levels of serum hepatic enzyme biomarkers (SGOT, SGPT and SALP) as well as lipid peroxidation product (MDA) and total bilirubin were significantly raised in the CCl4 treated groups. Conversely, CCl4 administration elicited obvious decline in enzymatic antioxidants activities and non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH, CAT, SOD, vitamin C, vitamin E) co-administration with FRF of M. myristica at varying doses as well as silymarin substantially decreased the elevated levels of the serum hepatic enzyme biomarkers as well as MDA in the CCl4 treated groups in a dose dependent manner. Additionally, FRF of M. myristica exhibited reversal potential on CCl4 toxicity at the tested doses as its administration resulted to a pronounced increase in GSH, SOD and CAT levels. Histopathological results demonstrate that FRF of M. myristica is effectual in the amelioration of hepatic damage and oxidative stress arising from CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. These results establish the effectiveness of the flavonoids of M. Myristica in the amelioration of hepatic damages arising from CCl4-induced toxicity which is manifest by the bioaccumulation of free radicals in our animal models.