EFFECT OF VISCUM ALBUM ON METOCLOPRAMIDE (MAXOLON) INDUCED HYPERPROLACTINEMIA AND HEPATOTOXICITY

Abstract

The use of herbal concoctions for the management of infertility by Nigerian women is becoming a common trend. One of these herbal plants used is Viscum album. This research work studied the reversal effect of Viscum album on metoclopramide (maxolon) induced hyperprolactinemia and hepatotoxicity.The level of Prolactin, Aspartate Aminotransferse (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase ALT) activities were assayed in 25 female albino rats, which were divided into 5 equal groups. Group 1 control, while group 2 (negative control) treated with maxolon alone, group 3, 4 and 5 animals treated with maxolon, for 7 days, then treated with 62.5g, 125g and 250g of Viscum album extract respectively.The result showed a significant increase (P< 0.05) in prolactin level (32.36ng/ml) in group 2 animals compared to the control group 1 (12.36ng/ml), while its level decreased in group 3, 4, 5 respectively (23.24ng/ml, 16.06ng/ml, 13.40 ng/ml).The value of serum ALT of group 2 (25.00U/I) significantly increased (P < 0.05) as compared to group 1 (17.20U/I) while in group 3, 4, and 5, no significant increase in ALT was observed (20.40U/I, 20.00U/I, 21.40U/I). Activity of AST in group 2 animals (35.80U/I) was high as compared to the control group (27.60U/I) while in group 3, 4, and 5, the AST activity reduced.In conclusion, the results show the overall effect of Viscum album extract was dose dependent, hepatoprotective and has hypoprolactinemia.