Protective effects of Dried Flower Extract of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> L. on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Liver Injury in the Rat

Abstract

The effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa petal extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury have been examined using plasma and liver L-alanine aminotransferase activity as an index of damage and protection. Relative to the control, carbon tetrachloride treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) plasma L-alanine aminotransferase activity from 10.7 ± 0.9 U/L (control value) to 17.1 ± 0.6 U/L (carbon tetrachloride treatment only). Correspondingly liver L-alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly (P<0.05) decreased from 68.7 ± 7.4 U/L (control value) to 52.0 ± 1.7 U/L due to carbon tetrachloride treatment only. Relative to the activity of the enzyme in the plasma of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride alone, treatment of rats with Hibiscus sabdariffa extract prior to carbon tetrachloride led to significant (P<0.05) reduction in L-alanine aminotransferase activity (carbon tetrachloride alone: 17.1 ± 0.6 U/L; extract plus carbon tetrachloride: 9.2 ± 0.2 U/L). When compared to the activity in the liver of rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride alone, L-alanine aminotransferase activity in the liver of rats treated with the extract before carbon tetrachloride was significantly (P<0.05) increased but to a level at par with the extract and carbon tetrachloride-free control value (carbon tetrachloride alone: 52.0 ± 1.7 U/L; extract plus carbon tetrachloride: 69.8 ± 5.7 U/L; extract-free and carbon tetrachloride-free: 68.7 ± 7.4 U/L). Our findings indicate that H. sabdariffa dried flower extract protects the liver against carbon-tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

KEY WORDS: Carbon tetrachloride, Liver Injury; L-alanine aminotransferase, Hibiscus sabdariffa extract.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(2) 2005: 249-251