ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (IL-6, IL-10, IL-2 AND IL-4.) ACTIVITIES OF SOLANECIO BIAFRAE (WÒRÒWÓ) IN RABBITS INDUCED WITH INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER USING ACETAMINOPHEN OVERDOSE

Mathew Folaranmi Olaniyan*

ABSTRACT

Background: Solanecio biafrae (Wòròwó) contains phytochemicals, specifically antioxidants such as vitamins with effective health benefits as it is evidenced in the use of the vegetable in traditional treatments. Acetaminophen is an anagelsic which people used irrationally that could lead to drug abuse and inflammation of the liver in overdoses or prolong administration, notwithstanding the normal therapeutic dose is safe. Materials and Methods: Fifteen rabbits of the same sex (male) with weight ranging from 1.0 -1.4 Kg were classified into control (n=5) given water and normal meal alone through out the period of investigation and experimental groups such as B1 (n=5) ; B2; were the B1 rabbits that were given 400mg/kgBW supplement of ethanolic extract of Solanecio biafrae (Wòròwó) after acetaminophen overdose for 7 days; C1(n=5) these were rabbits given 2,500mg/kgBW of acetaminophen before the aqueous extract of Solanecio biafrae (Wòròwó) while C2; were the C1 rabbits that were given 400mg/kgBW supplement of aqueous extract of Solanecio biafrae (Wòròwó) after acetaminophen overdose for 7 days. Plasma Aspartate Transaminase (AST/SGOT) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT/SGPT) were measured by spectrophotometry while the Interleukins 2, 4, 6 and 10(IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10)were determined in the plasma of the rabbits by ELISA. Results: There was a significantly higher mean plasma values of AST, ALT, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in rabbits given 2,500mg/kgMW of acetaminophen than in control rabbits and then when these rabbits were given the supplements of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Solanecio biafrae (Wòròwó) following the administration of 2,500mg/kgMW of acetaminophen(p<0.05). Conclusion: There was an increase in plasma AST, ALT, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 after a 7 day overdose of acetaminophen due to possible drug induced hepatotoxicity, inflammation and liver damage which was significantly reduced when the rabbits were given the ethanolic and aqueous extracts Solanecio biafrae (Wòròwó). Consequently, the extract could be a good supplement at reducing drug-induced hepatotoxicity/hepatitis.

Keywords: Solanecio biafrae.