HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ) ON CCL4 INDUCED RATS

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G. E Oyubu
I. O Okoro

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as a hepatotoxin has been used to induce liver fibrosis in animals. The hepatotoxic effects of CCl4 are largely due to its active metabolite, trichloromethyl radical. The liver plays a central role in the metabolism of drug and xenobiotics, protein synthesis and in maintaining biological equilibrium in organisms. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of methanolic leaf extracts of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) on CCl4 induced rats. Methanol extract of dried cassava leaves was administered to albino rats for 7 days. The hepatoprotective effects of the methanol extract against the toxic effect of the CCl4 was evaluated by assaying for some biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT, Albumin, total Protein and Bilirubin levels in the experimental animals. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the group of rats treated with 200 mg/kg ascorbic acid and that of positive control (Rats induced with CCl4 without any treatment) for AST level, while a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the ALT level. The methanol extract of cassava leaf pre-treatment significantly reduced CCL4-induced elevation in serum levels of AST, ALT, Total Bilirubin but significantly (p<0.05)
elevated serum contents of Total Protein and Albumin. Thus, the results showed that administration of methanol extract of cassava leave has a hepatoprotective effect on the liver. Due to the increased attention given to natural herbs worldwide, these encouraging results may have future clinical importance.

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How to Cite
Oyubu, G. E., & Okoro, I. O. (2022). HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ) ON CCL4 INDUCED RATS. NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT, 18(1). Retrieved from https://delsunjse.com/index.php/njse/article/view/72
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