Spathodea campanulata Beauv. is an important plant widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hepatic disease. In the present study, we evaluate the phytochemical composition and hepatoprotective potential effect of the stem and root bark extracts of Spathodea companulata on dimethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatic impairment in albino rats. Phytochemical compositions were analyzed using standard protocols. Forty-five male rats were grouped into 9 (A-I) of 5 rats each. Groups A-F were treated with stem bark extract, root bark extract, quercetin, DEN + stem bark extract, DEN + root bark extract, DEN + quercetin respectively while groups G-1 serve as control groups and were treated with corn oil only (Vehicle control), DEN only (Toxicant control), and distilled water (normal control) respectively. DEN was given at 25 mg/kg b.w., i.p on a weekly basis while all treatments were administered at 100 mg/kg BW orally for 60 days. Serum transaminase activities, body weight, and liver body weight ratio were evaluated. Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycoside, saponins, anthraquinone, steroids, and flavonoids in stem bark extract of Spathodea companulata, while the root bark contains cardiac glycoside, saponins, anthraquinonoid, steroids, and flavonoid. The DEN non-treated rat exhibited significant (p<0.05) weight loss and increase serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities when compared with the normal control. Treatment with stem and root bark extracts of Spathodea companulata significantly ameliorated the toxicant induce alterations in the transaminase activity and body weight loss when compared with the DEN nontreated rats. In conclusion, this study provides scientific validation of the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the management of hepatic disorders
The harmful effects that accompany the use of orthodox antioxidant medicine have necessitated the hunt for inherent antioxidants from plants extracts. In the present study, the in vivo antioxidant and hepato-protective activities of Vitex doniana against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in albino rats were investigated. The hepato-protective activities of the methanol extract of Vitex doniana stem bark were compared with Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug. Twenty-five (25) male albino adult rats were grouped into five (5) each. Group 1 and 2 was used as the normal and negative control respectively. Group 3-5 were treated with 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg methanol extract of Vitex doniana stem bark and 100 mg/kg Silymarin respectively. Results indicated that elevated levels of serum ALT, AST and ALB, and reduced serum SOD, GST and CAT in CCl4-hepatotoxic rats was an evidence of impairment in liver function. Administration of methanol extract of Vitex doniana stem bark (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and standard control drug Silymarin (100 mg/kg) have no significant (P>0.05) effect on CCl4- induced elevations of the ALT and AST levels while the reduction in albumin concentration, total proteins, SOD, GST and CAT due to CCl4 was reversed. In conclusion, Vitex doniana exhibited significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties in CCL4 induced liver damage in rat, and thus could be used and incorporated in the development of new and effective antioxidant drugs.
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