Curative potential of aqueous stem bark extract of <i>Cassia sieberiana</i> in rats

Abstract

Liver disease is still a global health concern and the drugs used to treat the condition are also implicated in exacerbating the problem. Many are sources are constantly screened for bioactivity in order to compensates shortcomings from current treatments. Thus, the current study evaluates the hepatocurative potential of aqueous stem bark extract of Cassia sieberiana in liver-damaged albino rats. Phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity study and effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Cassia sieberiana in rats induced with CCl₄ liver damaged were conducted. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. With one group being normal control while the others were induced with 150 mg/kg CCl₄ to induce liver damage followed by daily administration of graded doses (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) of aqueous stem bark extract of Cassia sieberiana (ASBEC) for four weeks. Three rats from each group were randomly selected and sacrificed 48hours after CCl₄ induction in order to confirm liver damage, while the remaining three rats in all the groups were sacrificed after four weeks. The blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of liver enzymes, total proteins, bilirubin(s) and albumin. Histopathological examination on the liver section was carried out. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloid and flavonoids. The acute toxicity of ASBEC shows no sign of toxicity at a maximum dose of 5000mg/kg. The extract produced dose-dependent reduction in the biochemical markers of liver injury (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the negative (CCl₄-only treated group) control. There is no statistically significant change (P > 0.05) in the serum biomarkers of liver injury in the extract treated groups compared to the positive (normal saline) control. The results of the biochemical parameters indicate some hepatocurative effects of the extract against CCl₄ induced liver toxicity and this was supported by the hispathological examination of rat’s liver. Hence, the curative latent of the Cassia sieberiana may be due to the presence of high concentration of tannins and saponins.

Keywords: Albino rats, Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), Cassia sieberiana, Hepatoprotection, Liver