Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Bitter Kola (Garcinia Kola) Seeds on Carbon Tetrachloride (Ccl4) Induced Liver Damage in Adult Wistar Rat.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of bitter kola (garcinia kola) seeds on carbon tetrachloride (ccl4) induced liver damage in adult wistar rats. The experimental animals (36 male and female) weighing between 150-250g were randomly divided into six groups. Each group comprised of 6 rats and was labeled as groups I, II, III, IV, V and VI.
Group I (control) animals were administered distilled water orally daily for 2 weeks (volume per body weight) while group II (ccl4 control) animals were administered distilled water orally daily for 2 weeks (volume per body weight) and carbon tetrachloride (ccl4) 0.4 m1/kg intraperitonially as a single application.
Group III rats were administered 100 mg of silymarin / kg body weight once daily for 2 weeks followed by a single dose of ccl4 (0.4 m1) on day 14 of the experiment. Group IV rats were administered 800 mg aqueous extract bitter kola (Garcinia kola) / kg body weight orally once daily for 2 weeks.
Group V and VI rats were administered 800 mg and 400 mg aqueous extract bitter kola (Garcinia kola) seed) orally once daily for 2 weeks followed by a single dose of ccl4 (0.4 m1) on day 14 respectively.
At the end of the experiment, blood samples were a collected for serum analysis of levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). Hepatic tissues were also collected for histopathological assessment of liver damage.
Results obtained showed that the ccl4 treated group caused significant increase in the levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALP and ALT). Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) seed aqueous extract caused significant decrease in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the serum of the extract treated groups.
INTRODUCTION
Plants have been an important source of medicine for thousands of years. Today, the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2000) estimated that 80% of people still rely on traditional remedies such as herb for their medicines (Tripathi and Tripathi, 2003).
Plants are also sources of many modern medicines. It is estimated that approximately a quarter of processed drugs contain plant extracts or active ingredient obtained from or modelled on plant substances (Tripathi and Tripathi, 2003). Garcinia kola belongs to the family Guittiferae, and it is commonly referred to as ‘Bitter Kola’.
The plant has the popular acronym “wonder plant” amongst the South-Western Nigerian people because every part of it have been found to be of medicinal importance (Olaleye et al., 2000). In Nigeria, it is referred to as Namijin-goro in Hausa, Orogbo in yoruba, Akiilu in Igbo and Oro in languages.
Garcinia. Kola is used in folklore remedies for the treatment of ailments such as liver disorders, hepatitis, diarrhoea, laryngitis, and bronchitis (Iwu, 1993; Adesina et al., 1995). The seed is masticatory and is used to prevent chest colds, and cough and can be used as well to treat headache (Ayensu, 1978).
Iwu (1993) reported the use of this plant for the treatment of jaundice, high fever, purgative and chewing stick. The plant has also been found useful in the treatment of stomach ache and gastritis (Ajebesone and Aina, 2004). Liver diseases are some of the fatal diseases in the world today, posing a serious challenge to the international public health (Ahsan et al., 2009).
REFERENCES
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Ahsan, R.,Islam, K.M., Musaddik, A., and Haque, E. (2009). Hepatoprotective activity of mathanolic exract on some medicinal plants against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatoxicity in Albino rats. Global Journal of Pharmacology 3(3):116-122.
Ajebesone, P.E., and Aina, J.O. (2004). Potential African Substances for Hops in Tropical Beer Brewing. African Journal of Food Technology. 9(1): 13-16.
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