Aqueous Extract of Balanites aegyptiaca Del Fruit Mesocarp Protects against CCl4 – Induced Liver Damage in Rats.
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Date
2013-10
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Abstract
Aim: Carry out preliminary phytochemical screening of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit
mesocarp and to evaluate the ability of the aqueous extract to ameliorate carbon
tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by determining liver enzymes, blood
parameters and histopathology.
Study Design: Sixty albino rats (Wistar rats) were randomly placed into four groups of
fifteen animals: Group 1 (normal control), group 2 ( Untreated CCl4 –intoxicated group)
while groups 3 and 4 are test groups both administered CCl4 and 0.08 mgkg-1 and 0.19
mgkg-1 body weight of concentrated fruit extract respectively orally daily. Administration of
CCl4 was 3 times in a week for 4 weeks at a dose of 1.2 g/kg body weight and plant
extract for 3 weeks.
Results: Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of saponin, flavonoids,
steroids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides in the fruit mesocarp. Serum total proteins,
albumin and conjugated bilirubin were elevated while the liver enzymes activities (alanine
transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) were significantly reduced in the test groups 3
and 4 compared to the untreated rats (Group 2). Histological examinations of the rats’ tissues showed reduced inflammation in the liver of the CCl4-damage rats treated with the
extracts when compared to the control and the cell architecture on the 21st day of the
animal treated with extract resembled that of the normal control.
Conclusion: The mesocarp of desert dates ameliorates hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 in
rats and this study has further added credibility to the ethnobotanical use of the fruit.
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Keywords
Balanites aegyptiaca, phytochemicals, CCl4, liver enzymes, histology
Citation
Mariam Salihu, Onyenibe Nwozo Sarah, Oyelola Oloyede B. Aqueous Extract of Balanites aegyptiaca Del Fruit Mesocarp Protects against CCl4 – Induced Liver Damage in Rats. British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2013 Oct; 3(4): 917-928.