Effect of aqueous extract of Gangronema latifolium (G. latifolium) (Utazi) on n-acetyl-para-aminophenol (acetaminophen) - induced hepatic injury on Wistar albino rats

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of leaf extract of Gangronema latifolium (G. latifolium) on acetaminophen (APAP) - induced liver injury in Wistar albino rats. In this study, sixty (60) male Wistar albino rats were divided into five (5) groups of twelve (12) rats each. Animals in group 1 served as control group and received a placebo of 0.9% saline solution. Group 2 served as APAP control group, administered with 800 mg/kg body weight of APAP only. Groups 3, 4 and 5 served as the experimental groups and received oral dosage of 800 mg/kg body weight of APAP plus 150 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of G. latifolium respectively. The results showed that the enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the serum were decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in the experimental groups dosed with 150 mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 250 mg/kg of G. latifolium respectively. For 150 mg/kg G. latifolium treated group, ALT decreased from 23.3 ± 7.31 to 9.00 ± 1.52 IU/L, while AST and ALP decreased from 17.6 ± 2.66 to 15.00 ± 1.00 IU/L and 92.8 ± 2.34 to 83.8 ± 7.94 IU/L respectively. In conclusion, the results showed that aqueous extract of G. latifolium has a protective effect on rat liver induced with APAP injury.