RT - Journal TY - JOUR A1 - Omoruyi, S A1 - Enogieru, A A1 - Momodu, O A1 - Ayinde, B A1 - Grillo, B T1 - Paracetamol-induced liver damage: Ameliorative effects of the crude aqueous extract of Musanga cecropioides YR - 2015/1/1 JF - Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences JO - Niger J Health Sci SP - 2 OP - 7 VO - 15 IS - 1 UL - http://www.https://chs-journal.com//article.asp?issn=1596-4078;year=2015;volume=15;issue=1;spage=2;epage=7;aulast=Omoruyi;t=5 DO - 10.4103/1596-4078.171381 N2 - Objective: The protective role of the aqueous stem bark extract of Musanga cecropioides against paracetamol-induced liver damage was investigated in Wistar rats using silymarin as a reference drug. Materials and Methods: The animals were randomly assigned into five groups of six rats each (A, B, C, D, and E). Rats in group A served as controls and received an equivalent volume of distilled water used to dissolve the extract. To effect liver damage, animals in groups B-E were administered paracetamol at 500 mg/kg body weight orogastrically for 14 days using a metal cannula. Animals in groups C, D, and E were simultaneously pretreated with silymarin at 25 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg, of the extract, per kg body weight, respectively. The effects of M. cecropioides and silymarin were examined on hepatic marker enzymes; aspartate amino-transferases (AST), alanine amino-transferases (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein (TP). Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as changes in liver histology, were also evaluated. The animals were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and blood was collected via cardiac puncture into plain bottles. Furthermore, liver tissues were excised and processed for routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: M. cecropioides and silymarin produced significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotective activity by decreasing the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and lipid peroxidation marker, MDA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of TP, SOD, and CAT except for the group administered 250 mg/kg of M. cecropiodes. Liver histology revealed the presence of vacuolations and mild chronic infiltrates of inflammatory cells in the livers of paracetamol treated animals. Pretreatment with silymarin and M. cecropioides extract produced a remarkable reduction in the severity of vacuolations. Conclusion: Crude aqueous extract of M. cecropioides protected against paracetamol-induced liver damage perhaps, by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of paracetamol. ER -