Liver Function Indices Of Monosodium Glutamate Induced Male Wistar Albino Rats Treated With Methanol Extract Of Asystasia Gaagetica Leaves:- Abuachi, Precious T

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to evaluate the liver function indices of monosodium glutamate induced male Wistar albino rats treated with methanol extracts ofAsystasia gangelica. The acute toxicity study was carried out using 18 male Wistar albino mice while 36 male Wistar albino rats were used for the effects of the extract on liver function indices. The rats were grouped into 9 groups of 4 rats each. Group 1 served as normal control and received 2 ml/kg b. wt. of distilled water for 14 days. Group 2 received a suspension of 8 g/kg b. wt. of MSG on day 7 and 14 and served as positive control. Group 3 received a suspension of 8 g/kg b. wt. of MSG and treated with 200 mg/kg b. wt. of sylimarin for 14 days. Group 4 and 5 received 200 and 500 mg/kg b. wt. ofA. gangelica leaves respectively for 14 days. Group 6 and 7 received 200 and 500 mg/kg b. wt. ofA. gangelica leaves respectively for 7 days prior to MSG induction on the 7th and 14n day respectively and continued receiving the extract for the next 7 days. Group 8 and 9 received a suspension 8 g/kg b. wt. ofMSG on the first day and 14dl day and was treated with the 200 and 500 mg/kg b. wt. respectively of methanol extract of A. gangetica leaves. Blood samples and organs were collected on the 15lh day for the liver marker and function indices respectively and to ascertain the histo-architecture. The result from the acute toxicity study ofmethanol extract of A. gangetica leaves showed absence of death or adverse reaction which may be as a result of the methanol extract possessing low toxicity potential or that the methanol extract was relatively non-toxic. The study showed that administration of MSG caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the liver marker enzymes (ALT, /AST and ALP) respectively and a significant (p<0.05) decrease liver function indices (total protein, conjugated bilirubin and albumin) respectively in group 2 untreated rats. However, dose dependent administration of methanol extract of A. gangetica leaves resulted to a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the liver marker enzymes and a significant (p<0.05) increase in liver function parameters respectively when compared to group 2 untreated rats. Histopathological examination of the liver showed severe infiltrations of mononuclear inflammatory leucocytes around the portal triads in group 2 untreated rats. On the other hand histopathology ol the liver of groups that received dose dependent administration of the extract showed normal histomorphology of the liver. This could be attributed to methanol extract of A. gangetica leaves possessing sufficient antioxidant components which was able to reverse the effects of MSG induction with levels greater than that treated with the standard drug silymarin. Furthermore, this suggests that the extract could be used in management of health conditions associated liver dysfunction as this study shows that the extract possesses essential phyto-chemicals that exerts the hepatoprotective and curative effects observed in the liver 1 unction indices of monosodium glutamate induced male Wistar albino rats treated with methanol ofAsystasia gangetica leaves.