Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and curative potential of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Spathodea Campanulata (SCE) in a carbon tetrachloride-induced model of hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats pre-treated with 625 m g kg -1 , 1250, 2500 mg kg -1 or silymarin (50 mg kg -1 ) p.o for 3 days were intoxicated with CCl 4 (1 mL kg -1 , 20% in liquid paraffin, p.o). In curative studies , rats received CCl 4 (1 mL kg -1 , 20% in liquid paraffin, p.o daily) for 5 days bef ore treatment with 100, 300 and 625 mg kg -1 or silymarin 50 mg kg -1 p.o daily for 3 days. In both the prophylactic and curative studies, significant hepatoprotective effects were obtained against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachlorid e as evident from decreased serum levels of Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma glutamyl transferase and bilirubin in the SCE treated groups (100, 300, 625 mg kg -1 ) and the silymarin group compared to the intoxicated controls. These results correlated well with the histo pathology of liver for treated and control groups as well as the antioxidant protective capacity. The extent of lip id peroxidation assayed showed that TBA reactive substances increased significantly (six fold) in the carbon tetrachlo ride treated animals compared to the control. Treatment with the extract however restored TBA reactive substances t o near normal at all three doses compared to the control. Additionally, the presence of phenols and the reduc ing power of the extract confirmed the antioxidant protective effect suggested by the reduction in lipid peroxid ation. Administration of the extract (p.o) for seven conse cutive days also significantly inhibited cytochrome P450 enzymes. The inhibitory effect on P450 enzymes possibly interfered with CCl 4 bioactivation and thus protected the hepatocytes. The present study thus suggests th at aqueous stem bark extract of Spathodea campanulata significantly reverses CCl 4 hepatic damage in rats.
Highlights
Spathodea campanulata, commonly referred to as African Tulip tree or Flame tree is located in the rainforest of equatorial Africa (Joly, 1985)
The administration of a single dose of CCl4 significantly increased the levels of AST (p
In the groups pre-treated with different doses of Spathodea or silymarin before CCl4 intoxication, AST and ALT reduced significantly compared to 625 mg kg−1 the
Summary
Commonly referred to as African Tulip tree or Flame tree is located in the rainforest of equatorial Africa (Joly, 1985). Beauv) stem bark is reportedly used traditionally almost as a panacea. The bark infusion is used to treat dysentery and stomach ache; rubbings from the bark in treating oedemas, skin diseases including herpes and for wound healing (Mensah et al, 2006). It is used to treat kidney disorders (Abbiw, 1990), as well as insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetes in Rwanda (Niyonzima et al, 1999). The widespread use of Spathodea campanulata in traditional medicine has prompted biological and pharmacological studies into the plant over recent years. Spathodea campanulata stem bark decoction has shown a hypoglycaemic activity in Streptozotocin (STZ)
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