ABSTRACT

Bombax buonopozense (P) Beauv is one of the family Malvaceae formerly known as Bombacaceae. The plant is commonly known as Gold Coast Bomax or red flowered silk cotton tree. Hepatoprotective activity of methanol leaves extract of B. buonopozense was investigatesd against hepatotoxicity produced by administering paracetamol on rats to induce liver damage. The animals were grouped into 7, each having two rats. Group 1-5 animals received 1000, 500, 250, 125 and 62.5 mg|kg body weight respectively. Group 6 received 0.2 ml of paracetamol while Group 7 received 0.5 ml normal saline. These concentrations were administered for 7 days. At the 8th day, the animals were sacrificed and the blood serum were collected and used to analyse the biochemical parameters such as Total bilirubin, Conjugated, Aspartate aminotransferease, Alanine amino transferase and Alkaline phosphatase. The data generated was subjected to one way ANOVA at( p<0.05) level of significance. The result obtained on the Total Bilirubin and Conjugated Bilirubin showed that Group 1 and 2 significantly reduced the bilirubin level when compared to the positive control group (Group 6). The result obtained on Alanine amino transferase level showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) between Group 1− 5 when compared with Group 6. 1000 and 500 mg|kg body weight recorded more reduced ALT level (9.40 and 11.60) respectively. Also the results obtained on AST and ALP also showed that there was significant difference between Group 1− 5 when compared to the paracetamol induced in group 6. The result obtained in this study has revealed the hepatoprotective potency of methanol leaf extract of B. buonopozense. Also, 1000 mg|kg body reduced all the elevated increases of the biochemical parameters studied. More studies should be conducted to highlight more medicinal properties of this plant.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

List of Figures vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: 2

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 3

1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.1 BOTANY OF THE PLANT 5

2.2 PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BOMBAX BUONOPOZENSE 6

2.3 HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION 7

2.4 CLINICAL SIGNS OF LIVER DISORDER: 8

2.4.1 Jaundice 8

2.4.2 Haemolytic jaundice 8

2.4.3 Hepatocellular jaundice 9

2.4.4 Cholestatic jaundice 9

2.4.5 Nervous signs (hepatic encephalopathy) 9

2.4.6 Edema and emaciation: 10

2.4.7 Diarrhea and constipation 10

2.4.8 Congestive hepatopathy 10

2.5 PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT IN DISEASES OF THE LIVER 10

2.6 PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF LIVER AND BILIARY 

TRACT DISEASES 11

2.7 HEPATOPROTECTIVE PLANTS 11

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 18

3.1 COLLECTION OF RESEARCH MATERIAL 18

3.2 PREPARATION OF PLANT EXTRACT 18

3.3 EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS 19

3.4 ACUTE TOXICITY STUDIES (LETHAL DOSE 50 LD50) 19

3.5 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 19

3.6 BIOCHEMICAL ESTIMATION 20

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS 21

4.1 EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BOMBAX BUONOPOZENSE 

ON LIVER FUNCTION TEST ON PARACETAMOL INDUCED RATS 21

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 25

5.1 DISCUSSION 25

5.2 CONCLUSION 26

5.3 RECOMMENDATION 27

References