EFFECTS OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF CORCHORUS OLITORIUS ON LIVER FUNCTION AND LIPID PROFILE IN WISTAR RATS.

I. P. Ekpe*, D. A. Apata and Dennis Amaechi

ABSTRACT

This research is aimed at investigating the effect of methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius on the liver function and lipid profile of albino Wistar rat. Thirty albino Wistar rat used for this experiment were randomly shared into five groups of six rats each. Animals in group E served as the normal control and received dimethyl Sulphur oxide (DMSO). Those in groups A, B, C and D served as the test group and received 100, 150, 250 and 300mg/kg of the extract respectively. The treatment was carried out for fourteen days. On the fifteenth day, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected by cardiac puncture into plain tubes for biochemical investigations. Extraction and all biochemical analysis were carried out using standard laboratory techniques. Administration of the extract resulted in decrease in the lipid parameters in all experimental units when compared to control group. The liver enzyme parameters such as ALP was found to have increased non-significantly (p<0.05) in group A, B, C and D respectively compared to normal control while AST and ALT levels was found to be lowered significantly in the groups compared to normal control.

Keywords: Liver function, lipid profile, Medicinal plants, liver enzymes and biochemical analysis.