ABSTRACT
The liver serves as a processing factory, redistribution center and a receiving depot of the body. In the light of these roles, the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius on CCl4 induced liver damage in wistar rats was assessed. CCl4 (0.5ml/kg) was used to induced hepatotoxicity. 25-albino rats of wistar strain (120-150g) were used for the study and were divided into five groups of five rats per group. Group A serves as normal control and was given distilled water of treatment equivalence, group B serves as a negative control and was treated with CCl4 and olive oil as a vehicle at the ratio of 1:1. Group C, D, and E were induced with CCl4 and the extract administered through oral gavages at scalar doses of 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 1g/kg daily. The administration lasted for 15 days period after which the animals were sacrificed. Serum enzyme assay revealed that there was a marked reduction in the elevated activity of the hepatic enzymes viz alanine aminotransferase (ALT) A (71.2±3.27), B (98.8±2.61), C (78.0±3.74), D (74.8±2.77), and 74.6±1.95) respectively. Similar trend was observed for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels when compared with the controls (P=.05). More so, the result revealed that the extract lowers serum albumin, no significant change in billirubin but increased total protein levels in all treated groups when compared with the controls (P=.05). Furthermore, it showed a significant decrease (P=.05) in White blood cell count (WBC), and platelet but no significant decrease (P=.05) in packed cell volume (PCV) and Hb. From the above findings, it is obvious that the ethanolic leaf extract of Corchorus olitorius could have hepatoprotective property.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To compare the phytochemical constituents in the leaves and fruits of Allanblackia floribunda and determine their free radical scavenging activity. Methods: The fruit and leaves of AF collected from the uncultivated farmlands of Okeigbo; Ondo State; Nigeria; were dried; milled and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by measuring the decrease in the visible absorbance of 2;2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) on addition of the plant extract. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50); which is the concentration of extract needed to decrease the initial absorbance of DPPH by 50was determined graphically. Total phenolic; flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents were determined by spectro-photometric methods. Results: Alkaloids; anthraquinones; tannins; saponins; steroids; terpenoids; flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present in both the fruits and leaves. Only AF fruit contained phlobatannins. IC50 values of 0.01; 0.02 and 0.1 mg/ml were recorded for Vitamin E; AF leaves and AF fruits respectively. Total phenolic; total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were 65; 0.07 and 2.38 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF fruits; and 12; 51.35; 19.5 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF leaves as gallic acid; rutin and catechin equivalents respectively. Conclusion: AF leaves are five times more potent as a free radical scavenger compared to the fruits though the fruit was found to contain a higher phenolic content
Subject(s)
AlkaloidsABSTRACT
Purpose: To compare the phytochemical constituents in the leaves and fruits of Allanblackia floribunda and determine their free radical scavenging activity. Methods: The fruit and leaves of AF collected from the uncultivated farmlands of Okeigbo; Ondo State; Nigeria; were dried; milled and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by measuring the decrease in the visible absorbance of 2;2-diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) on addition of the plant extract. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50); which is the concentration of extract needed to decrease the initial absorbance of DPPH by 50was determined graphically. Total phenolic; flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents were determined by spectro-photometric methods. Results: Alkaloids; anthraquinones; tannins; saponins; steroids; terpenoids; flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present in both the fruits and leaves. Only AF fruit contained phlobatannins. IC50 values of 0.01; 0.02 and 0.1 mg/ml were recorded for Vitamin E; AF leaves and AF fruits respectively. Total phenolic; total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were 65; 0.07 and 2.38 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF fruits; and 12; 51.35; 19.5 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF leaves as gallic acid; rutin and catechin equivalents respectively. Conclusion: AF leaves are five times more potent as a free radical scavenger compared to the fruits though the fruit was found to contain a higher phenolic content