Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Bark Extract of Bosweillia dalzielii against Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rabbits

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed the hepatoprotective potential of aqueous stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in adult rabbits. Study Design:  Fifteen adult rabbits weighing between 1.4-2.0 kg were divided into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V), where group I served as normal control, group II was the test control, while groups III, IV and V served as test groups. Paracetamol (300 mg/kg was administered to the test control and the test groups to induce hepatotoxicity. Groups III, IV and V were treated for 7 days with 200 mg/kg Silymarin, 150 mg/kg and 225 mg/kg/Body weight of Boswellia dalzielii stem bark extract respectively, while group II was left untreated and served as the test control. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano between August and November, 2015. Methodology: Using standard laboratory procedures, liver function was assessed by the assay of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total and direct bilirubin (TB and DB). Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA using SPSS. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The two doses of the plant extract showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect on Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, as evident by the significant reduction (P < 0.05) in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin alongside with improved histopathological liver sections compared to paracetamol-treated animals. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii could serve as a good alternative to relieve the toxic effect of paracetamol on rabbit liver. And also, it could provide a suitable source for new drug development.