The effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Alchornea cordifolia on Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage was investigated in experimental rats. Treatment of separate groups of rats with 100mg/kg, 150mg/kg and 200mg/kg aqueous leaf extracts of Alchornea cordifolia for 2 weeks after establishment of CCl4 induced liver damage, resulted in significantly (P<0.05) less hepatotoxicity when compared to the CCl4-induced group, as measured by serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. The effect of extract was statistically significant (P<0.05) and was dose dependent. Histopathological study also showed significant reduction and even reversal of liver damage in the rats. The results of this study show that aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia has a potent anti-hepatotoxic action against CCl4 induced liver damage in rats.
This study was aimed at assessing the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects of combined aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica in alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Fresh leaves extract of Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica were prepared using distilled water in appropriate stock concentrations and used in a 14-day treatment. Acute toxicity studies of the combined extract conducted in rats showed no toxicity up to 5000mg/kg. Experimental animals were acclimatized for 14 days while diabetes was induced using alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg) intraperitoneally. After 14 days of treatment of diabetic rats with 300mg/kg, 500mg/kg 700mg/kg respectively as well as with 150mg/kg metformin, there was increase in weight, the blood glucose levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) whenc compared to untreated diabetic rats (diabetic control). Also, there was a significant p<0.05) reduction in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels of rats treated with different doses of the extract compared to the diabetic control. A dose dependent antidiabetic and hepatoprotecitve effect was observed and the combined extract had a close similar effect as the standard drug metformin. Therefore, combined aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica exhibit antidiabetic and hepatoprotective and this is due to the presence of phytochemical constituents in the leaf part of the plants.
KEY WORDS: Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica combined aqueous leaf extract, diabetes, hepatotoxicity, Bioactive constituents
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