ANTIOXIDANT, ORGAN PROTECTIVE AND AMELIORATIVE PROPERTIES OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF ANOGEISSUS LEIOCARPUS STEM BARK AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE- INDUCED LIVER INJURY

The methanol extract of the stem bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus was evaluated in vivo at 2.5mg/kg for antioxidant, hepatoprotective and ameliorative effect on hepatocellular injury following pre-treatment or post-treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Levels of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) or thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) were taken as a measure of oxidative stress, while levels of biochemical such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin (total and conjugated) were taken as biomarkers of liver damage. Irrespective of whether the animals were pre- or post- treated with Anogeissus leiocarpus, there was no statistical difference between the levels of MDA and markers of liver damage in the groups on A. Leiocarpus + CCL₄ group and Vitamin E + CCl4, although both were significantly (P<0.05) lower than in the group on CCL₄ only.

However, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the heart, and to some extent, in the kidney, were hardly influenced by the treatments. These results indicate that methanolic extract of the stem bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective and ameliorative effect on hepatocellular injury which may in part, account for the mechanism by which this plant brings about some of its reported therapeutic effects.