Effect of aqueous methanol extract of <i>Sarcocephalus latifolius</i> fruit on carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in albino rats

Abstract

In recent times, interest in the use of medicinal plants (ethnomedicine or ethnobotanical medicine) as alternative to modern medicines is increasing globally, especially in developing countries where traditional beliefs and high cost of, or limited access to conventional medical treatment may constitute important factors. The use of Sarcocephalus latifolius for the control of various illnesses, especially in West Africa, is widely documented. This study therefore, was designed to highlight the protective potential of Sarcocephalus latifolius fruit extract on body organs such as the liver and kidney by monitoring some biochemical parameters. The plant material was collected from Kadale village in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Nigeria. it was extracted with aq. methanol in a Soxhlet extractor. Acute toxicity examination was carried out on the extract in line with standard methods with the lethal dose obtained to be above 2000mg/kg body weight. The percentage protection of the fruit of S. latifolius on CCl₄ induced toxicity was dose dependent. TLC examination of the column fractions (Fr 1-Fr 7) revealed that Fraction 1,2,3 could be separated easily and that the chemical components are similar.

Keywords: Proximate analysis; Hepatotoxicity; Carbon tetrachloride; Mineral content; Sarcocephalus latifolius