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Three Tropical Plants with Hepatoprotective properties
Author(s) -
Iroanya Onyekachi Ogbonnaya,
Okpuzor Joy Elizabeth,
Mbagwu Herbert O
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1062.3
Subject(s) - vernonia amygdalina , alanine aminotransferase , ocimum gratissimum , alkaline phosphatase , traditional medicine , acetaminophen , medicinal plants , medicine , toxicity , toxicology , pharmacology , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , enzyme
The use of medicinal plants is becoming increasingly popular among all social classes in our society. The lower socioeconomic class cannot afford the high cost of orthodox treatment; the only alternative to remain in good health is the use of medicinal plants which abounds in their surrounding to treat all types of diseases. The study aims to substantiate the claims made by the traditional healers on the use of a mixture of Gongronema latifolia, Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina in the treatment of liver problems. The mixture showed no toxicity when administered orally or intraperitoneally to Wistar albino rats. Aqueous extract of the mixture was evaluated against Acetaminophen induced acute hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The animals were divided into six groups with each group containing ten animals. Three doses of the extract ( 2000, 4000, 8000 mg\kg ) were fed to the rats for four days at 24 hours interval. At a dose of 8000 mg\kg body weight there was a significant change in the level of Alkaline Phosphatase (21.3± 3.8), Aspartate Aminotransferase (23.3±2.3) and Alanine Aminotransferase (18 ±1.1) when compared to positive (19.7 ± 0.3, 23.7 ± 1.2 and 23.7 ± 1.2) and normal (25 ± 2.1, 22.3 ± 1.9 and 23.7 ± 1.2) control values. These results indicate a significant hepatoprotective effect against liver damage induced by Acetaminophen. We therefore, provide a scientific rationale for the traditional use of the mixture in the management of liver diseases.