The Hepatoprotective Potential and Renal Function Analysis of Chrysophylum albidum Leaf Extract in Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Rats
Ifeanyi Prince *
Department of Environmental Health, Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nigeria.
Nwankpa Promise
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Osunkwo Modestus
Department of Public Health, Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nigeria.
Etumnu Rosemary
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nigeria.
Chidinma Ogbonna
Department of Community Health, Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nigeria.
Rita Okechi Chima-Ezika
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Computing. University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Nigeria.
Eke Ikechukwu
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Madu Lovina
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria.
Nwosu Chinelo Jacinta
National Universities Commission, Abuja, Nigeria.
Duru Majesty
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Computing. University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) can produce experimental hepatic injury accompanied by alterations in haematological, lipid, renal, and hepatic indices. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum in CCl₄-induced male albino rats. Thirty-two rats were assigned to four groups of eight animals. Group I received feed and potable water, whereas Group II received feed, potable water, and CCl₄. Groups III and IV received CCl₄ followed by 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract, respectively. Haematological indices, lipid profile, renal function indices, and liver function markers were assessed. Compared with the CCl₄-induced positive control, extract-treated rats showed significantly higher red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, platelet counts, sodium, chloride, total protein, and albumin values (p<0.05), together with significantly lower white blood cell counts, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin values (p<0.05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol also increased in the treated groups. The observed changes were generally more favourable at the tested doses than in the untreated CCl₄ group. These findings suggest that C. albidum leaf extract may ameliorate selected haematological and biochemical alterations associated with CCl₄-induced hepatic injury in rats. Further studies incorporating histopathology, oxidative-stress markers, extract standardisation, and a standard hepatoprotective control are required.
Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum, hepatic injury, ethanolic leaf extract, haematological indices, lipid profile, Wistar rats