EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF VARYING CONCENTRATION OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF JATROPHA CURCAS ON SOME LIVER FUNCTION PARAMETERS, CYCLOOXYGENASE AND THROMBOXANE-ALPHA-2 OF WISTAR RATS

Isong Idongesit K., Asemota E. A., Bassey I. E., Ayanwu S. O., Asuquo, I. J., Ogele U. J., Akinluwade E. O. and *Akinluwade K. J.

ABSTRACT

The use of natural herbs in the management of various health conditions has been on the increase due to its availability, affordability and efficacy. Thus for natural herbs to be used in the management of any health condition, the dosage should be considered. This study investigated effects of varying concentration of ethanol leaf extract of Jatropha curcas on liver function biomarkers, cyclooxygenase and thromboxane-alpha 2 in wistar rats. A total of 16 wistar rats were divided into four groups of 4 animals each. Graded concentrations of ethanolic extract of the leaf administered thus: 0 mg, 50 mg, 150 mg, and 250 mg/kg bodyweight of animals in groups I (Control), II, III and IV respectively for 10 days by oral intubation. Standard methods were employed to assay serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, serum total, conjugated bilirubin, cyclooxygenase (COX) and thromboxane (TX-A2). Data obtained was analyzed using student’s t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation at p0.05) in the wistar rats under study. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.652, p = 0.022) was observed between ALP and COX (p<0.05) in wistar rats treated with various dosage. High concentration of ethanolic leaf extract may be associated with increased ALP and increased COX.

Keywords: Jatropha curcas, Wister rats, cyclooxygenase, thromboxane-alpha 2, ANOVA.