HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIALS OF METHANOL EXTRACTS OF GOSSWEILERODENDRON BALSAMIFARUM AND LIPID PROFILE OF ALBINO RATS.

Aloh,G.S.,*Obeagu, Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Odo Christian Emeka, Udezuluigbo, Chiamaka Ngozi and Ugwu Getrude Uzoma

ABSTRACT

Methanol extract of Gossweilerodendron balsamifarum leaves at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg was evaluated for hepatoprotective potentials using female albino rats. The lipid profile of the same rats were also evaluated. The plant extract (250 and 500 mg/kg), however showed no remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against chloroform/ hexane-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues. Chloroform/hexane-induced a significant rise in aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, lipid peroxidase (LPO) with a reduction of total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Treatment of rats with different doses of the plant extract (250 and 500 mg/kg), however, could not reverse the condition. Also lipid profiles of the control group and that of the extract were found not to differ. This was ascertained by comparing the levels of high density lipoprotein, (HDL), low density lipoprotein, (LDL), total cholesterol and triacylglycerol, (TAG), in the two groups.

Keywords: Gossweilerodendron balsamifarum leaves, hepatoprotective potentials.