RESUMO
Aim: To evaluate the protective and ameliorative roles of methanolic extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus, Schum. & Thonn. leaf against acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and Injuries to Liver, Kidney and Heart in Rats. Methods: To study the protective effects of the extract against oxidative stress, the rats were pre-treated with the extract (5mg/kg) for three days before intoxication with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at 0.6ml/kg as a 33% solution in corn oil, with Vitamin E (50mg/kg) as an antioxidant control. Results: Administration of the extract significantly (P=.05) prevented or reversed the CCl4 -induced elevation in the levels of aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), bilirubin, malondialdehyde, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol with boosting of the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, HDL-cholesterol, packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin concentration. Conclusion: These results suggest that in addition to its hypolipidemic effect, methanolic extract of B. coccineus leaf can be used to protect and manage the liver and kidney against oxidative stress related injuries.