Effects of Fractionated Methanolic Leaf Extract of Gongronema latifoliumon CCl4-induced Wistar Albino Rats

Jude Okpala

doi:10.19080/jpcr.2015.01.555551

Abstract

The general aim of this study is to assess the effects of fractionated methanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifoliumon CCl4-induced wistar albino rats. Fifty-four (54) Wistar albino rats were divided into seven treatment groups. Group A was given feed and water, Group B was injected with olive oil intra peritoneally, while the rest of the groups (C, D, E, F and G) were injected intra peritoneally with a single dose of CCl4(148 mg/kg). After 36 hours of induction, group E, F and G were given 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight of n-butanol fraction of methanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium by oral gavage. Group D was given 100 mg/kg of silymarin (standard drug) whereas group C served as CCl4-induced group. At the end of 28 days of treatment, there were significant (P < 0.05) reduction in PCV, Hb concentration and serum protein levels as well as a significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage change in liver weights of CCl4-induced control rats when compared with the induced treated groups. Liver marker enzymes studies showed that there was significant (P < 0.05) increase in the serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin concentrations in CCl4-induced control group when compared with the induced treated groups. Antioxidant assay on the liver homogenate showed that there was significant (P < 0.05) decrease in SOD, CAT, GPx and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in MDA of CCl4-induced control rats when compared to the normal control rats. These findings suggested that n-butanol fraction of methanol leaf extract of G. latifolium may have anti-hepatotoxic and antioxidative effects against CCl4-induced liver damage rats.

Highlights

Gongronema latifolium (Asclepiadaceae) is a perennial climber forest leafy vegetable which has a woody hollow glaborous stems and is characterized by greenish yellow flowers [1]
In Nigeria, information available from the indigenous traditional herbalist claimed that a decoction of the grounded [3] leaves of G. latifolium has been used in the production of several herbal products which are taken orally [1] for the treatment of stomach upsets and pains, dysentery, malaria, typhoid fever, worm and cough [4]
Antioxidant potential is inversely proportional to Inhibitory concentration (IC50) value which was calculated from the linear regression of the % inhibition versus fraction concentrations

Summary

Introduction

Gongronema latifolium (Asclepiadaceae) is a perennial climber forest leafy vegetable which has a woody hollow glaborous stems and is characterized by greenish yellow flowers [1]. It is widespread in tropical Africa as well as grows in the forest of south eastern and western Nigeria where it is widely used for medicinal and nutritional purposes [2]. Many plants have been reported to possess anti-hepatotoxic capabilities, the scientific authentication of most of them such as G. latifolium which is used traditionally to treat several diseases is unavailable [3]. Studies were carried out to investigate the phytochemical constituents of G. latifolium and to

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Conclusion