Liver Enzymes and Lipid Activities in Response to Corchorus olitorius Leaf Extract

Abstract

Corchorus olitorius is a common vegetable in Nigeria used in making soup and stew. This study determined the effect of the ethanol extract of C. olitorius leaves on the activity of liver function enzymes and lipid profiles in Wistar albino rats. Twenty four (24) Wistar rats weighing between 150-200 g were randomly grouped into four of six animals each. Groups 1-3 rats received 2 ml 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. respectively, while the control group also received 2ml of distilled water orally for the period of the experiment. All animals were sacrificed after experimental period of 28 days. The results showed that the extract significantly (p=0.05) reduced the serum activities of AST, ALT and ALP when compared to the control at all doses tested. Also, the extract significantly reduced the concentration of total cholesterol at 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w. of the ethanol extract of C. olitorius and significantly (p=0.05) increased it at 200mg when compared to the control. A dose dependent significant (p=0.05) increase in the concentration of HDL and triacylglycerol were observed in all groups when compared to the control. The result of this study suggests that the ethanol extract of C. olitorius possesses hepatoprotective properties with possible tendency to increase the cholesterol concentrations at high doses.

Phytochemical Screening, Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Analysis, and Antidiabetic Effects of Corchorus olitorius Leaves in Rats

“…Oral administration of C. olitorius showed a protective effect on liver tissue by reducing the elevated levels of ALT and AST. This is in parallel with a recent investigation which showed the hepatoprotective effect of C. olitorius and suggested the ability of the plant to maintain the integrity of the hepatocellular membrane [34].…”

Pharmacological and phytochemical biodiversity of Corchorus olitorius

“…C. olitorius extract was thought to give hepatoprotection with a probable tendency to elevate total cholesterol levels because it increased cholesterol levels at 200 mg kg −1 . 19 Interestingly, Iweala and Okedoyin demonstrated that the regular consumption of C. olitorius may exacerbate hepatotoxicity which could be attributed to the presence of some accumulated antinutrients in the plant e.g. oxalate, nitrate and cyanide.…”

“…C. olitorius extract was thought to give hepatoprotection with a probable tendency to elevate total cholesterol levels because it increased cholesterol levels at 200 mg kg −1 . 19 …”