Hepatoprotective Effect of Andropogon gayanus against Paracetamol- and Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Toxicity in Rats doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v5i1.25

Abstract

Andropogon gayanus has found use in tropical Africa for its vast medicinal properties including liver healing potentials. This study nvestigated the efficacy of Andropogon gayanus extract in paracetamol- and carbon tetrachloride-mediated hepatic injury in rats. Two models were employed to study the toxicity. The first was with 3 g/kg of paracetamol orally on day four and secondly with 1 mL/kg carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneally (1:1 in olive oil) on the third and fourth day, respectively. The efficacy of the extract was tested using varying doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, respectively for five days. After drug treatments, animals were subjected to humane death while blood sample was taken for determination of liver function markers [(alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin) with level of oxidative stress by assessing (malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), gluthathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] while the liver was excised for histological studies. With an estimated LD50 value of greater than 5000 mg/kg, the extract is said not to be toxic. Phytochemistry showed that tannins, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids were present. Pre-treatment with extract at 400 mg/kg as well as 800 mg/kg showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in all serum liver markers with significant (p ≤ 0.05) amelioration of oxidative stress when compared to the toxicity control. Results from this research could indicate that methanol extract of Andropogon gayanus possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials and may be beneficial for the treatment of liver diseases.