ABSTRACT
The ability of an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to protect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury was investigated in Wistar albino rats. The carbon tetrachloride was prepared 1:5 (v:v) in olive oil, and administered subcutaneously at 1 mL/kg body weight. The extract was administered to both normal and carbon tetrachloride treated rats at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. On gas chromatographic analysis of the extract, twenty nine known flavonoids were detected, consisting mainly of 31.94 % apigenin, 20.66 % quercetin, 11.28 % kaempferol, 5.99 % naringenin, 5.83 % (-)-epicatechin, 3.69 % biochanin, 3.58 % (+)-catechin, 2.72 % diadzein, 2.20 % ellagic acid, 2.04 % butein. Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently produced significantly (P<0.05) lower alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase activities. The plasma total bilirubin and total protein levels of the test animals were lower though not significantly. The hepatic histopathological studies showed that carbon tetrachloride caused fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, which was inhibited by pre-treatment with the extract; thus, confirming the results of the biochemical studies. The results of this study indicated that treatment with the plant extracts protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. This supports the use of Sansevieria liberica in traditional health care for managing liver problems.