Effect of n-butanol fraction of Detarium microcarpum stem bark on some liver function and oxidative stress parameters in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury in Wistar rats

Abstract

Hepatic damage is a serious health challenge that alters normal metabolic processes in the body. Total flavonoid, phenolic content and lethal dose (LD50) of n-butanol fraction of Detarium microcarpum stem bark were evaluated using standard procedures. The effect of n-butanol fraction of Detarium microcarpum stem bark on the relative liver weight, some liver functions (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin (Bil)) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde MDA, superoxide dismutase SOD, and catalase CAT) parameters in carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic injury in Wistar rats were investigated. Experimental animals were divided into 6 groups, to induce hepatic injury. CCl4 in olive oil (1:1) was introduced by intraperitoneal injection once a week for 4 weeks and graded doses (100, 150 and 200) mg/ml of nbutanol fraction of Detarium microcarpum stem bark were orally administered, daily for 28 days. The quantity of total flavonoids and phenols in n-butanol fraction of Detarium microcarpum stem bark were 234.42 ± 0.71 and 2.97 ± 0.31 (mg/g) respectively. The LD50 of n-butanol fraction of Detarium microcarpum stem bark was >5000 mg/kg body weight of rats. The relative liver weight of all the treated groups decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the CCl4 only treatment (negative control). ALT, AST, ALP, Bil and MDA significantly decreased while SOD and CAT increased significantly compared with the negative control. These results suggest that Detarium microcarpum stem bark contains phytochemicals with antioxidant properties and holds promise in ameliorating liver injuries.