Lipid Profile, Haemoglobin Level and Antioxidant Effect of Pre-treatment with Methanolic Extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum. & Thonn. Leaf against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Injuries to Liver, Kidney and Heart of Rats.

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.

Some Biochemical Effects of Methanolic Extract of Afzelia africana Seed in Rats Following Single or Repeated Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication.

Aim: To establish the in vivo effects of the methanolic extract of Afzelia africana seed on CCl4- induced organ damage on some biochemical parameters. Methods: The rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. In the single administration experiment, rats were intraperitoneally pre-treated with the extract (10mg/kg) for two days before CCl4 intoxication at 0.6ml/kg. In the repeated intoxication experiment, rats were administered the extract (5mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for 10 consecutive days, and CCl4 (0.6ml/kg) 72 hourly intervals for 10 days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin (conjugated and total) were analyzed for hepatoprotective effect, while urea and creatinine were used to evaluate kidney function. Results: Data obtained showed significant reduction (P=.05) in the activities of ALT and AST, as well as in levels of bilirubin, urea and creatinine in the Afzelia africana extracttreated rats compared to the CCl4 control. Conclusion: These results indicate that the seeds of A. africana contain constituents that could protect the kidney and liver and ameliorate them from both acute and chronic injuries.