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.

Effects of Methanolic Extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F Seed on some Haematological and Kidney Function Parameters in Rats following Single or Repeated Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication.

Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F seed on male rats following single (acute) or repeated (chronic) carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Methods: Male albino rats were divided into groups of six each consisting of plant extract only, plant extract + carbon tetrachloride, solvent only, solvent + carbon tetrachloride, vitamin E only, vitamin E + carbon tetrachloride and untreated control. The rats in the acute experiment received the extract (5mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for two days, and 1 hour after administration of CCl4 (0.6ml/kg body weight) on the third day, while those in the chronic experimental model received 2.5mg/kg for 10 consecutive days with 72 hourly administration of CCl4 at 0.3ml/kg. Results: In the acute model, the level of total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in D. reflexa seed extract pre-treated rats compared to the CCl4 control, while in the chronic model, the level of packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin were significantly (P<0.05) boosted in extract treated group compared to the CCl4 control group with concomitant reduction in the levels of bilirubin. Conclusion: These results indicate that the seed of D. reflexa possess capacity to boost haematological parameters and protect the kidney against acute and chronic toxicological challenges.