title: Hepatoprotective activity of Mammea africana ethanol stem bark extract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The stem bark of Mammea africana Sabine (Guttiferae), (M. africana) a common plant that has been traditionally used to treat various diseases and ailments was evaluated for hepatoprotective potentials against paracetamol-induced liver injury in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hepatoprotective effect of the stem bark extract (30-90 mg/kg) was evaluated by the assay of liver function parameters, namely total and direct bilirubin, serum protein and albumin, total cholesterol, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP), antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH) and histopathological study of the liver.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of the stem bark extract caused a significant (p<0.05 - 0.001) dose-dependent reduction of high levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), total cholesterol, direct and total bilirubin as well as elevation of serum levels of total protein, albumin and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH). Histology of the liver sections of extract and silymarin-treated animals showed reductions in the pathological features compared to the paracetamol-treated animals. The chemical pathological changes were consistent with histopathological observations suggesting marked hepatoprotective effect of the stem bark extract of M. africana.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that the stem bark extract of M. africana has hepatoprotective potential which may be due to its antioxidant activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Jude Efiom
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Okokon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael Burata
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bawo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Herbert Orji
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Mbagwu
keywords: Antioxidant; Hepatoprotective; Mammea Africana; Medicinal plant