The effect of the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora on paracetamol-induced liver damage in albino rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. A total of 20 albino rats of the Wister strain weighing 120-180 g were used for the study. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5-rats each [I-IV]. Groups I, II and III served as the normal, paracetamol and plant extract controls and were administered with normal saline, 500 mg/kg of paracetamol and 300 mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days while rats in group IV served as the treatment group and were pre-treated with 300 mg/kg of the plant extract respectively for 7 days before 500 mg/kg of paracetamol was administered on the 8th day. At the end of the experimental period, blood was obtained from each rat for the determination of serum levels of aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], albumin and bilirubin. Biochemical analysis of the serum obtained showed a significant increase [P<0.05] in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and albumin in rats administered with 500 mg/kg of paracetamol and 300 mg/kg of the extract respectively. Pre-treatment of the animals with the extract caused a decrease in the levels of these enzymes. Histopathological assessments of the liver sections of rats administered with 500 mg/kg of paracetamol and 300 mg/kg of the extract showed congestion of the venous sinusoids, necrosis, edema, mononuclear infiltration and cloudy swellings with the severity higher in the paracetamol treated group. Pre-treatment with 300 mg/kg of the extract revealed a slight hepatoprotection compared with the rats that were administered with paracetamol alone. This study has shown that the aqueous extract of Kohautia grandiflora possesses slight hepatoprotective property.