ABSTRACT
Aim: Carry out preliminary phytochemical screening of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit mesocarp and to evaluate the ability of the aqueous extract to ameliorate carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by determining liver enzymes, blood parameters and histopathology. Study Design: Sixty albino rats (Wistar rats) were randomly placed into four groups of fifteen animals: Group 1 (normal control), group 2 ( Untreated CCl4 –intoxicated group) while groups 3 and 4 are test groups both administered CCl4 and 0.08 mgkg-1 and 0.19 mgkg-1 body weight of concentrated fruit extract respectively orally daily. Administration of CCl4 was 3 times in a week for 4 weeks at a dose of 1.2 g/kg body weight and plant extract for 3 weeks. Results: Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of saponin, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides in the fruit mesocarp. Serum total proteins, albumin and conjugated bilirubin were elevated while the liver enzymes activities (alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) were significantly reduced in the test groups 3 and 4 compared to the untreated rats (Group 2). Histological examinations of the rats’ tissues showed reduced inflammation in the liver of the CCl4-damage rats treated with the extracts when compared to the control and the cell architecture on the 21st day of the animal treated with extract resembled that of the normal control. Conclusion: The mesocarp of desert dates ameliorates hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in rats and this study has further added credibility to the ethnobotanical use of the fruit.