METHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA MITIGATES THE HEPATOTOXIC EFFECTS OF LEAD ACETATE IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

Ojibade Adeshina John and Odetola Amos Amoo*

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study assessed the effect of methanolic extract of Terminalia catappa leaves on the liver of adult wistar rats following lead induced oxidative stress. Methods: Thirty five (35) adult wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 150g and 200g were grouped into five groups A, B, C,D and E of seven (7) per group. They were fed on grower's marsh and given water ad-libitum. Groups A served as control. Group B received 25mg/kg of Terminalia catappa only. Group C received 8.75mg/kg of lead acetate with 50mg/kg of Terminalia catappa. Group D received 10mg/kg of lead acetate with 100mg/kg of Terminalia catappa. Group E received 13mg/kg of lead acetate only. Results: Results indicated that lead acetate caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in body weights which was more pronounced in group E compared to that of the group C and D. it also showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the level of the hepatic enzymes ALT, AST and ALP which was an indication that lead acetate caused a severe pathological changes in the liver parenchyma. This was supported by histological analysis that showed massive degenerative changes and dispersed hepatocyte cells, necrosis with depletion in the glycoprotein granules inside the hepatocyte cells on histological analysis. Conclusion: exposure to lead acetate causes severely distorted histoarchitecture of the liver resulting in significant increase in liver enzymes with decrease in body weights. However, methanolic leaf extract of Terminalia catappa exhibited a protective effect against the lead acetate induced-toxicity in the liver of wistar rats.

Keywords: Lead Acetate, Terminalia catappa. Hepatocytes, liver enzymes, hepatotoxicity.