Hepatoprotective Activity of the Root Extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis Against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Liver diseases pose an enormous problem worldwide irrespective of the wondrous strides in modern medicine. This has necessitated the need to depend on complementary and alternative systems of medicine for liver ailments. Rhaphiostylis beninensis is a culinary spice with various medicinal applications. The current study hereby examined the hepatoprotective effects of the methanol root extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis in Wistar albino rats for a 14-day period. Twenty experimental rats were randomly divided into four groups labelled A-D comprising five rats each. Rats in group A were fed with pellets and water ad libitum for 14 days as control. Group B rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of Carbon tetrachloride in a dose of 3 mL/kg of a 50 % (v/v) solution in liquid paraffin only on day 1. Group C rats were administered the same dose of Carbon tetrachloride on day 1 prior to thirteen days administration of the root extract (500mL/Kg body weight). A similar dose of the root extract was given to rats in group D for thirteen days sequel to Carbon tetrachloride administration on day 14.The substantive elevated (p<0.05) serum levels of liver biochemical parameters, Liver Malondialdehyde levels and decreased Liver antioxidant enzyme levels (p<0.05) in group D rats, were restored towards normalcy in rats pre-treated and treated with the spice extract (D and C) as compared with the control group. The results of this study strongly indicate that the root extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis possess hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats.