Anthonio Research Publications (ARP): THE HEPATO-PROTECTIVE POTENTIALS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS AGAINST PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

International Journal of Herbs and Pharmacological Research IJHPR, 2013, 2(2): 6 – 13.

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RESEARCH PAPER:

THE HEPATO-PROTECTIVE POTENTIALS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS AGAINST PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

*1Uzzi H.O. and 1Grillo, D.B.

1Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author: lovelyhenry01@yahoo.com

Received: 10th December, 2012 Accepted: 21st February, 2013 Published: 31st April, 2013

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the hepato-protective potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Twenty adult rats weighing between 150 – 300g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D), whereby group A served as the control, while groups B, C and D served as test groups. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the test groups via oral administration of paracetamol (800mg/kg bw). However, while groups C and D were treated for 21 days with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg/BW of Cassia occidentalis leaf extract respectively, group B was left untreated and served as the test control. Using standard laboratory procedures, the livers were harvested, histologically processed, and examined. Microscopy revealed normal histological hepatocytes in the control animals while those of test control were severe vascular congestion, periportal infiltrates of chronic inflammatory cells and periportal oedema. However, hepatic sections from groups C and D presented a dose dependent healing actions compared to the features observed for group B (untreated hepatotoxic group). Judging by these findings therefore, one can assert that aqueous leaves extract of Cassia occidentalis may be hepato-protective against hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, Hepatotoxicity, Paracetamol, Liver.

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INTRODUCTION

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation (Ozbakis Dengiz et al., 2007). Common amongst this class of drugs is Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, which has been reported to induce hepatic injury (Schnellman et al., 1999; Bessems and Vermeulen, 2001; Vermeulen et al., 1992). Certainly, the effect of paracetamol is not unexpected considering the fact that metabolism of chemicals occur largely in the liver (Kaplowitz, 1996), which surely may account for the organ’s susceptibility to metabolite-dependent/drug-induced injury. Worrisome however, is the fact that modern medicines have little to offer as regards alleviating hepatic diseases and the alternative, plant-based preparations are largely employed (Brattin et al., 1985). In line with this fact, Ayurvedic medicine is essentially promotive and preventive in therapeutic approach for treating liver disorders and as such, search for crude drugs of plant origin has become a central focus of study of hepatic protection (Ven kumar and Latha, 2002).

Available literature show that the drugs offered by modern medicine for the treatment of liver diseases such as corticosteroids and immuno-supressants, are said to provide only symptomatic relief; mostly without influencing the disease, and their use is associated with the risk of relapse and danger of side effects (Ram and Goel, 1999). However, in recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in herbal medicine in many parts of the world in view of the acclaimed therapeutic efficacy of many herbal preparations (Kolawole et al., 2006). In fact, Nuhu and Aliyu (2008) asserts that most rural dwellers rely on traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments, and it is now generally believed that herbal medicine does not only agree with cultural and socio-economic peculiarities, but also symbolizes safety in contrast to conventional drugs (Taiwo et al., 2012). Hence, herbal medicine is becoming a focus for a wider coverage of primary health care delivery in Nigeria, Africa, India, China, and possibly, the rest of the world.

Of particular interest, is therapeutic potentials of Cassia occidentalis, which is commonly called ‘Dora rai’ in Hausa, ‘Akidi ogbara’ in Igbo, ‘Abo rere’ in Yoruba and ‘Coffee senna’ in English. It is said to belong to the family Leguminosae, sub family Caesalpinoidae, and botanically classified as both Cassia occidentalis and Senna occidentalis according to Egharevba et al. (2010). Extract of several parts of this plant has been widely reported for its pharmacological activities, which ranges from antibacterial, anti -histamine release, antiplatelet aggregation, memory protection and neuroprotection (Kim et al., 2007; Kitanaka et al., 1998; Sung et al., 2004). For example, the various classes of Cassia roots, flowers, seeds and leaves have been employed in herbal medicine for purposes such as laxatives, expectorants, antimalarias (Tons et al., 2001), relaxants (Ajagbonna et al., 2001), anti-inflammatory (Sadique et al., 1987), wound healing (Sheeba et al., 2009), and hepatoprotective potentials (Bhakta et al., 2001; Jafri et al., 1999; Usha et al., 2007).

Following suggestions on the protective potentials of Cassia occidentalis (Nadkarni, 1976), this study was designed therefore, to investigate the hepato-protective potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis in rats exposed to paracetamol induced liver injury.