Cytoprotective Effects of Ethanolic Extract of <i>Vernonium amygdalina</i> Leaves on Alloxan Induced Hepato-Toxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the cytoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of Vernonium amygadlina leaves on Alloxan induced hepato-toxicity in albino Wistar rats. A total of forty (45) male Wister Albino rats weighing between 130g to 200g were obtained from the animal house of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar. The animals were randomly divided into nine groups of five rats each after acclimatization in the animal house of the College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo for two weeks. Group A served as control and were administered 1 ml of distil water, Group B and C were administered with 150 mg/kg and 300mg/kg of Vernonia amygdalina respectively. Group D was administered with 65mg/kg of Alloxan. Group E and F were injected intraperitonially with 65mg/kg of Alloxan and left for two weeks to become diabetic followed by administration with 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg of Vernonia amygdalina respectively. Group G and H were administered with 150mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of Vernonia amygdalina respectively for two weeks, before they were injected intraperitonially with 65mg/kg of Alloxan followed by continuation of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg of Vernonia amygdalina for another two weeks. Group I was administered with 65mg/kg of Alloxan and insulin lente (1.0 IU) daily for four weeks. The animals were sacrificed on the 29th day, using chloroform inhalation method and their liver harvested, processed and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin method. Stained slides were viewed using light microscope. Result showed normal architecture of the liver, hepatocytes (H), central vein (CV), sinusoid (S) and nucleus in the control group. The cellular architecture of the Alloxan groups D, E, F. G, H and I were all distorted with cytoplasmic vacuolation, sinusoidal spaces dilation and nuclear degeneration. These distortions were severe in the Alloxan only group D. The groups that were administered with VA were able to ameliorate this changes; the groups that were administered with VA two weeks before the administration of the Alloxan (G, H.) had lesser cellular changes than the groups that were administered with Alloxan two weeks before VA administration, (E, F.). The groups that were administered with VA only (B, C.) had a near normal hepatic architecture. VA has cytoprotective potentials that can be used to prevent hepatic damage in diabetic patients.