Tetrapleura tetraptera ethylacetate pod extract and its biochemical effects on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxic female rat

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of ethyl acetate pod extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera on biochemical markers of liver damage, in vivo and in vitro antioxidant properties using acetaminophen-injured female rats as model. Thirty-five (35) rats assigned into seven groups (A-G) of five rats per group were used for the study. Rats in groups C, D, E and F were pretreated with 100, 200, 400 and 200 mg/kg of the extract while group G rats received Silymarin (100 mg/kg). Distilled water (10 ml/kg) was administered to groups A and B rats. All pretreatments were via the oral route and lasted for seven days. Following pretreatments, acetaminophen (2000 mg/kg) was used to induce liver injury in groups B, C, D, E and G while rats in group A served as normal control. Blood samples were collected 48 h post acetaminophen administration for analyses of the following parameters: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum bilirubin, reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Liver tissues were collected for histopathology studies. In vitro antioxidant profile of the extract was evaluated. Results indicated decreases in the activities of ALT and ALP of the extract-treated groups compared to the negative control group. The liver section of the rats treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract showed no lesions and was comparable to that of the normal control rats. The in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activities were in dose and concentration-dependent manner respectively. It was concluded that Tetrapleura tetraptera ethyl acetate extract possesses both hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties.