ISSN 2326-7267
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2011. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The modulatory effect of Cochlospermum tinctorium a rich aqueous root extract on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats
E. U. Etuk1*, B. M. Agaie2, M. J. Ladan3 and I. Garba1
1Department of Pharmacology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
2Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
3Department of Biochemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Accepted 08 March, 2011
Abstract
The aqueous root extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium (CTR) was investigated for its phytochemical composition; acute oral toxicity and hepatoprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in rats. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenes, cyanogenic glycosides and volatile oils while steroids and anthraquinones were absent. Administration of 5000 mg/kg (body weight) of the extract orally did not produce any death in the rats within the observable period. The extract at 100 – 300 mg/kg (body weight) significantly and dose dependently reduced the levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes levels in the CCl4 -treated rats. The values of serum albumin, serum total protein and reduced glutathione in the extract treated groups of rats remained comparatively higher than its values in the CCl4 - treated group. The pretreatment of the rats with the extract produced a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in blood clotting time. The histopathological findings were in support of the biochemical changes recorded during the study. These results suggest that aqueous root extract of CTR possess hepatoprotective effect against CCl4- induced liver damage in rats and the extract at 5000 mg/kg body weight appeared to be safe when administered orally.
Key words: Cochlospermum tinctorium, carbon tetrachloride, transaminases, hepatoprotective.