ABSTRACT

 Effect of different doses of methanolic root extract of Combretum dolichopetalum against paracetamol (Acetaminophen) induced hepatotoxicity was studied in male albino wistar rats. Result indicates elevated significantly . (pU).O5) value greater.than the normal and positive controls for Alanine Amino transferase with mean values 81.00 ± 1.53 and 75.67 ± 2.60, respectively and also, significantly (p<0.05) less than the negative control. (119.00' ± 0.58). However, creatinin at (200mg/kg) g with mean 1.17 ± 0.14 was significantly (p< 0.05) greater than that of normal and positive control groups, 1.04 ± 0.02 and 1.03 ± 0.02 respectively but less than the mean value of the negative control group 1.36 ± 0.01 which appeared significant (p < 0.05). At different doses of 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg, Aspartate aminotransferase with mean values 173.00 + 1.73 and 1.73.00+ 0.33 respectively was less than the negative control group, .with significance (p < 0.05) and at an 500mg/kg, 137.33 ± 1.20 showed significant(p < 0.05) increase compared to all the control groups, . A . significant (p < 0.05) decrease was observed in Alkaline phosphates when the three doses of extract54.67 + 0.67, 48.00 + 0.58 and 43.00 ± 1.53 respectivelywas compared with the negative and normal control groups 61.33 + 0.89 and 68.00: + 1.53 respectively, the 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease when compared to the positive control group whereas the 200mg/kg group showed a non significant (p > 0.05) decrease. A significant decrease in Urea was obseived when the mean values of the 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg, 30.67 + 1.20 and 30.33 ± 1.45 respectively were compared to that, of the normal and positive control groups 33.33 ±'1.20 and 32,33 ± 0.88 respectively whereas the 500mg/kg dose group was significantly (p >< 0.05) less than the- negative control group. Histological profile of the normal control animal showed the normal hepatic histo-architecture of the laboratory rodent.(Fig.6). The liver section of the silymarin treated animal (positive control) showed normal hepatic architecture with few fatty globules (Fig. 7). The section of the liver of the negative control group .of animal exhibited severe intense liver damage (Fig 8).Liver section of the animals treated with 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg of the root extract showed a mild centrilobular hepatocellular degeneration while those treated with 500mg/kg of tire extract showed the normal histo-architecture of the laboratory rodent. The present study reveals 'that the methanolic root extract of Combretum dolichopetalum . could afford a significant, protection against paracetamol-induced hepatocellular injury , which can be said to be dose dependent.