Abstract
The effect of administration of ethanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata leaves and Zingiber officinale rhizoids on serum liver enzymes (ASP, ALP and ALT) in normal male albino wistar rats, weighing 113-233g was evaluated. Twenty-five (25) animals were randomly assigned five groups of five rats each. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively of Andrographis paniculata leaves and Zingiber officinale rhizoids extracts. Group 5 (control) was not treated. Both treated and control animals were fed with commercial rat mash and water throughout three (3) weeks of experiments. At the end of the 21 days, significant decrease (P> 0.05) in serum AST level was recorded in treated groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 compared with the control. Significant decrease (P> 0.05) in serum ALP level was recorded in group 4 when compared with control. However, serum ALP level recorded significant increase in group 4 compared with group 3 (P>0.05). The results of this research work signified that administration of ethanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata leaves and Zingiber officinale rhizoids possessed no marked effects on the liver enzymes since variations in the levels of the enzymes were within their normal serum ranges.
Highlights
Herbs and plants have been in use as a source of therapeutic compounds in traditional medical system since ancient times [1]
As the result of numerous problems associated with orthodox drugs, many species are being revealed by researchers based on variation in plant species and their therapeutic chemical principles
Andrographis peniculata leaves were plucked from the stem and Zingiber officinale rhizoids were scrapped with the aid of a knife to remove the bark
Summary
Herbs and plants have been in use as a source of therapeutic compounds in traditional medical system since ancient times [1]. Medicinal plants play important role in traditional health care systems as well as in international herbal and pharmaceutical markets. As the result of numerous problems associated with orthodox drugs, many species are being revealed by researchers based on variation in plant species and their therapeutic chemical principles One of such plant species is Andrographis paniculata used in ancient oriental and Ayurvedic medicine. The genus Andrographis which belongs to Ancanthaceae family comprises 40 species, only few are popular for their uses in folk medicine (or assorted health concerns) Of these few, Anarographis peniculata, commonly known as “King of bitters” is an annual plant from Southern England, Scandinavia, across Central Europe to Southwest and East Asia and Japan [4]. The plant is reported for antimicrobial activity and anticancer activity [9], antioxidant, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, larvicidal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities [10]
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