Hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant effects of Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum. and Thonn. (Connaraceae).
BACKGROUND
The leaf decoction of Byrsocarpus coccineus (Connaraceae) is drunk for the treatment of jaundice in West African traditional medicine.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant effects of Byrsocarpus coccineus in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.


METHODS
Group allotment in this study included vehicle, CCl(4), Byrsocarpus coccineus 1000 mg/kg alone, Byrsocarpus coccineus 200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg+CCl(4) and Livolin((R)) 20mg/kg+CCl(4), and treatment was carried out accordingly. On the 7th day, rats were sacrificed and blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture. The levels and activities of serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzymes were then assayed using standard procedures.


RESULTS
CCl(4) significantly (P<0.05) increased the levels of ALT and AST and reduced total protein. In CCl(4) treated animals, Byrsocarpus coccineus (200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg) dose-dependently and significantly decreased ALT, AST and ALP levels with peak effect produced at the highest dose. Conversely, Byrsocarpus coccineus produced significant increases in albumin and total protein levels. The standard drug produced significant effects in respect of ALT (downward arrow), albumin (upward arrow), and total protein (upward arrow). CCl(4) also produced significant (P<0.05) reductions in the activity of catalase, SOD, peroxidase and GSH, and conversely increased MDA level. Byrsocarpus coccineus produced significant and dose-dependent reversal of CCl(4)-diminished activity of the antioxidant enzymes and reduced CCl(4)-elevated level of MDA. The standard drug also significantly increased CCl(4)-diminished antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced CCl(4)-elevated MDA level. In general, the effects of the standard drug were comparable and not significantly different from those of Byrsocarpus coccineus.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in this study suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus possesses hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant effects. This finding justifies the use of this preparation in West African traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disease.
Akindele
Abidemi J
AJ
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P. M. B. 12003 Lagos, Nigeria. aj_akindele@yahoo.com
Ezenwanebe
Kenneth O
KO
Anunobi
Chidozie C
CC
Adeyemi
Olufunmilayo O
OO
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D031961:Connaraceae; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats
D000418:Albumins; D000975:Antioxidants; D001798:Blood Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase