Influence of Gongronema Latifolium Leaf-Extracts Treatment on Some Hepatic Enzymes Activity In Rats

Abstract

Influence of extracts of the leaf, Gongronema latifolium, on serum levels of aminotransaminases, ?- amylase and urea was investigated in rats. The plant is native to Southern Nigeria. The plant extracts were Soxhlet extracted and evaporated to solid using Rotary evaporator. Four tolerated doses 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg were estimated from the results of acute toxicity study. About 50 adult healthy rats weighing between 120 and 150 grams, were divided into five groups. Group 1 received DMSO- Saline as control, groups 2 - 5or 6 - 9 received either ethanolic or water extracts daily for 7 days. On the 8th day, rats of all groups were subjected to chloroform anaesthesia and blood samples collected through cardiac puncture and used for biochemical metric. The results showed that the extract- treatments induced enhanced activity of aspartate amino-, alanin amino-transferases (AST & ALT), ?-amylase and unsignificant effect on the serum level of urea. The induced enhanced enzymes activities were gradually inhibited by graded doses of the extracts.

The conclusion suggests that chronic oral administration of these plant extracts, could cause liver cells damage.

Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, hepatic enzymes, and rats