Phytochemical Screening And Hepatoprotective Properties Of The Aqueous Root Bark Extract Of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) Bruce (African Peach)

Objective: The hepatoprotective properties of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus (S). latifolius (Smith) Bruce was studied by investigating its effect on some serum biochemicalparameters in rats treated with Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).

Methods: Twenty Wister albino rats weighing 200-230g were divided into five groups of five rats each (Group A, B, C, D and E) by random selection.Rats in groups B, C and D wereorally administered 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg body weight aqueous extracts daily for 20 days, while group A (control) was injected with 5ml/kg body weight normalsaline for the same period. The animals in groups B, C, D and E were injected intraperitoneally with 3mg/kg body weight of CCl4; on the last day and observed for 24hours afterwhich they were sacrificed by decapitation and blood collected for biochemical and haematological analysis.

Result: Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins and saponins. Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartatetransaminase (AST), total and conjugated bilirubin levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05) across all the groups treated with extract and the toxin (CCl4). The decrease wasdose dependent.Conclusions: The decrease observed in the biochemical parameters, suggest that the aqueous extract of S. latifolius possess hepatoprotective properties.

Author(s): H B Yesufu, P U Bassi, I Z Khan, F I Abdulrahaman, G T Mohammed

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