Hepatotoxicity Assessment in Wistar Rats Exposed to Vitellaria paradoxa Stem Bark Extract

Abstract

Background: Different parts of Vitellaria paradoxa are being used in the treatment of different diseases in several parts of Nigeria without considering its safety. Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the effect of ingestion of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark extract on the liver functions of Wistar rats. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: The oral acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract was determined in 30 Wistar rats divided into six of five per group. Group 1 was the control and received normal saline. Different doses of 5, 50, 300, 2000, and 5000 mg/kg were administered once to the study groups (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) respectively. A sub-chronic toxicity study was carried out in 30 Wistar rats, divided into six of 5 rats per group. Group 1 served as control and was given normal saline and standard rat pellets. The remaining 5 groups were administered different doses of 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively daily for 30 days. Total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total and conjugated Bilirubin (TB and CB), amino transferases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), were assayed using standard techniques, and body weights of the rats taken twice weekly. Results: No death or signs of toxicity were recorded in the oral acute toxicity study among the rats after 24 hours and up to 14 days post-oral treatment. In sub-chronic toxicity, the results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in all parameters, except group 6 ALB values and GGT values for groups 4 and 5 which were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control but were within the reference range. The weekly body weight of the rats showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between the control and the experimental rats. Histology results of the liver revealed normocytic normochromic cells. Conclusion: From our findings, ingestion of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark extract produced no harmful effect on liver function in Wistar rats.