Hepatocurative potentials of methanol extracts/fractions of <i>Tapinanthus bangwensis</i> and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> on carbon tetrachlorideinduced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Abstract

Bioaccumulation of toxic substances in liver poses a serious threat to its functionality and consequently leads to damage/injury. Medicinal plants have been reported to be effective in the treatment and management of various diseases. The present study is aimed at evaluating the hepatocurative potentials of Tapinanthus bangwensis and Moringa oleifera on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry were respectively used to assay for mineral elements and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera. Concentrations of potassium in methanol extract of M. oleifera (MeCE 2) and magnesium in T. bangwensis (MeCE 1) were found to be significantly high (p < 0.05). Concentrations of trace elements were low in the range of 0.07 mg/kg to 0.60 mg/kg. The in vitro lipid peroxidation assay showed that ethylacetate fraction and acetone fraction of T. bangwensis (ETF 1 and ACF 1) respectively exhibited the strongest and lowest antioxidant activity compared to other extracts/fractions. Oral administration of methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, increased glutathione (GSH) level and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The liver function indices (or liver biomarkers) such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total protein, total and conjugated bilirubin and lipid parameters (low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), cholesterol and triglyceride) were also significantly reduced. However high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) increased in the groups induced and treated with methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera compared to the group induced but untreated. It can be concluded that the plants possessed hepatocurative potential against CCl - 4 induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Hepatotoxicity, Liver biomarkers, Moringa oleifera Tapinanthus bangwensis