<b>The Hepato-Protective Potentials of Aqueous Leaf Extract of <i>Cassia Occidentalis</i> against Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Wistar Rats</b>

Abstract

This study investigates the hepato-protective potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis on
paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Twenty adult rats weighing between 150 – 300g were used
for this study. They were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D), whereby group A served as the
control, while groups B, C and D served as test groups. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the test groups via oral
administration of paracetamol (800mg/kg bw). However, while groups C and D were treated for 21 days with
250mg/kg and 500mg/kg/BW of Cassia occidentalis leaf extract respectively, group B was left untreated and served
as the test control. Using standard laboratory procedures, the livers were harvested, histologically processed, and
examined. Microscopy revealed normal histological hepatocytes in the control animals while those of test control
were severe vascular congestion, periportal infiltrates of chronic inflammatory cells and periportal oedema.
However, hepatic sections from groups C and D presented a dose dependent healing actions compared to the
features observed for group B (untreated hepatotoxic group). Judging by these findings therefore, one can assert that
aqueous leaves extract of Cassia occidentalis may be hepato-protective against hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, Hepatotoxicity, Paracetamol, Liver.