Effect of ethanol extract of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves on carbontetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The effect of ethanol extract of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves on carbontetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats was studied. Sixteen male wistar rats of 100-170g body weight divided into four groups of four rats each, designated – group I, II, III and IV were used. Groups II, III and IV were injected intraperitoneally with 5ml/kg body weight of CCl4; control was injected with 5ml/kg body weight corn oil. After 48hrs, groups III and IV were administered with 750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively and the rats sacrificed after 5 days. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponnins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids and resin. Result from the study showed that both concentrations of the extract (750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced (P <0.05) CCl4 induced elevations in the liver enzymes- alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in a dose dependent manner. CCl4 induced increases in total and conjugated bilirubin were also significantly lowered by the extract. These results show that the extract of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves has protective effect against CCl4 induced liver toxicity and damage.