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June 2023
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An In Vivo Study Of The Hepatoprotective Property Of Bryophyllum pinnatum Aqueous Leaf Extract On Alcohol Induced Liver Damage In Albino Wistar Rats
Ada Francesca Nneoyi-Egbe, Eridiong Onyenweaku, Muriel Kalu
ABSTRACT: Background: Plants and plant-derived substances have been utilized as herbal remedies to prevent, alleviate, or reverse various abnormalities. Pharmaceuticals such as opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine have a long history of being used as herbal remedies and are currently employed by physicians. Additionally, contemporary medicine often incorporates active chemicals derived from plants, with approximately 80% of these compounds showing a strong connection between their traditional use and modern therapeutic applications. Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf is known to contain bioactive components with antioxidant properties and potential pharmacological activity. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on serum liver enzymes in albino Wistar rats following alcohol-induced liver damage. Methodology: Fifteen experimental albino Wistar rats weighing 110-223 g were divided into three groups of five rats each. Group 1 served as the standard control and received only rat food and water. Group 2 was administered alcohol at a rate of 1.5 ml/kg body weight, while Group 3 (the extract group) received a combination of alcohol (1.5 ml/kg body weight) and an aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (200 mg/kg body weight). After the treatment period, the experimental rats were sacrificed, and serum liver enzyme levels were measured. The laboratory results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by post-hoc testing. Findings: Rats treated with alcohol showed a statistically significant decrease in the levels of tissue damage indicators, specifically AST and ALP, compared to the control group receiving a regular diet. However, no statistically significant difference in the reduction of ALT activity was observed between the experimental group and the conventional control group (Group 1). Notably, Group 3, which received post-treatment with the aqueous leaf extract at a dosage of 200 kg/kg body weight, exhibited a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in AST and ALP levels compared to the rats in the standard control group. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves demonstrated a remarkable ability to protect the liver from toxicity-induced damage. Consequently, further research on the isolation and purification of active phytochemical compounds from the plant for potential use in the pharmacological industry is recommended.
[ FULL TEXT PDF 1-7 ] DOI: 10.22587/ajbas.2023.17.6.1
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