Protective Effects of Abrus precatorius Leaf Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride- Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Abrus precatorius against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)- induced liver injury in rats. 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt. of Abrus precatorius extract was administered orally to separate groups of rats for 7days prior to CCl₄ administration. A significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in both the groups treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt. of the leaf extract on the levels of the enzymes and non-enzyme markers of liver injury and lipid peroxidation as well as relative organ weight, with no significant changes in the Mean final body weight of the treated groups. This result shows that the leaf extract of Abrus precatorius contains phytochemical(s) that is (are) protective to the liver against CCl₄-induced injury in rats

Keywords: Abrus precatorius, carbon tetrachloride, hepatotoxicity, liver, rats.