THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF GARCINIA KOLA AGAINST CCL4 INDUCED HEPATOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO RATS

Emeji Roseline*, Tamuno-Emine D. G. and Boisa N.

ABSTRACT

Garcinia kola seed (bitter kola) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders, including hepatic disorders. The present study was aimed at evaluating efficacy of Garcinia kola seed in protecting rat liver against CCL4-induced liver injury. Biochemical parameters and histological structure were assessed and used as a measure of hepatoprotective potential. The experimental animals (15 male wistar albino rats) weighing between 100-120g were randomly divided into 3 groups. Each group comprised 5 rats and was labeled as group 1, 2 and 3. Group 1 (negative control) animals were administered saline orally daily for 6 weeks (1ml volume per kg body weight) while group 2 (CCL4group) animals were administered CCL4 mixed with olive oil as vehicle in 1:1 ratio (3ml/kg body weight). In case of hepatoprotective study (that is post treatment of rats) with extract of the herbal plants (500mg/kg daily for each herb; and 250mg/kg daily for the combination of herbal extracts) administered orally for 6 weeks decreased (P<0.05) CCL4-induced increased in concentrations of total serum protein, albumin total bilirubin, and conjugated bilirubin, and CCL4 induced increase activities of serum AST, ALT, ALP and GGT. Histological examination of the liver of CCL4–treated rats also administered the herbal extracts alone or in combination, showed less destruction of liver architecture in comparison to the group treated with CCL4 only. The results indicated that all the herbal extract investigated (bitter kola) had hepatoprotective effect against CCL4-induced liver injury when used either singly or in combination and this effect could be due to the phytochemicals present in the herbs.

Keywords: Protective Effects, Garcinia kola, CCl4 induced hepatoxicity, male Albino Rats.