Effect Of Aqueous Extract Of Loranthus Micrantiius Linn On Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity In Male Wistar Rats:- Onwudo Jennifer I

ABSTRACT ix Medicinal plants are significant source of pharmaceutical drugs as latest trends have shown increasing demand. Some medicinal plants have proven Ilepato protective potential. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous leaves extract of Loranthus micranthus Linn on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in male wistar rats. Acute toxicity of the plant was evaluated using standard and scientific method. The acute toxicity test ofthe aqueous leaves extract showed no toxicity up to 500mg/kg body weight. For this purpose, twenty male wistar rats were assigned into four groups of five animals each. Group 1: normal control, group 2: rats administered L. micranthus leave extract only (150mg/kg body weight), group 3: rats administered paracetamol only (400mg/kg body weight), group 4: rats administered Loranthus micranthus leave extract (150mg/kg body weight) as well as paracctamol(400mg/kg body weight). The experiment lasted for 28 days. The antioxidant enzyme levels were investigated. The result shows that CAT, SOD, and MDA levels of the group administered paracetamol only, significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with control group. The group administered L. micranthus extract only, paracetamol co-trcatcd L. micranthus extract exhibited a significant (p<0.05) decrease in CAT and SOD levels. The GSH and MDA levels of the group administered L. micranthus only, and paracetamol co- treated L. micranthus extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased. It could be concluded that the extract was not toxic and did not increase the generation of free radicals. The extract also ameliorated the hepatic assault initiated by paracetamol thereby reducing the activities of SOD and CAT.