Therapeutic Effect of Ethanol Extract of Anthocleista vogelii Stem Bark in the Treatment of Jaundice on Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Wistar Rats

This study investigated therapeutic effect of ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark (EEAV) in the treatment of jaundice on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in adult wistar rats. A total of 30 wistar rats weighing between 160-200 g were distributed into 6 groups comprising group 1 (normal control), group 2 (paracetamol 2 g/Kg bw), group 3 (paracetamol 2 g/Kg bw + Silymarin 100mg/Kg bw) and groups 4-6 (paracetamol 2 g/Kg bw each + 250, 500, & 1000 mg/Kg bw of EEAV, respectively). Experiment lasted for a period of 16 days. Paracetamol induction elevated liver indices and enzyme activities. However, administration of EEAV significantly reduced (p≤0.05) these effects in groups 3-6 when compared to group 2. A significant elevation (p≤0.05) was reported in creatinine, urea, sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) when group 2 was compared with group 1. Haematological study showed that packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) levels significantly increased (p≤0.05) in treatment groups 3-6 when compared to group 2. The catalase (CAT) activity increased significantly (p≤0.05) in groups 3, 4 and 6 when compared to group 2. Liver histology showed normal hepatocytes architecture with normal central vein in group 1. Group 2 revealed a histologically distorted liver tissue while there was regeneration of hepatic cells in groups 3-6. The study revealed that EEAV could serve as potent herbal therapeutic agent in the treatment of jaundice triggered by paracetamol induction in adult wistar rats.