| Abstrakt: |
The liver is critical in the metabolism of 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), as a result, DMBA is a strong liver toxin and its hepatotoxicity stems from its conversion to an active carcinogenic metabolite. The study examined the hepatoprotective effect of Annona senegalensis in rats induced with DMBA. Ten rats each in eight groups were used. Animals in group A were used as controls; group B was given 35 mg/kg bwt of DMBA intraperitoneally twice monthly for two months; and animals in groups C, D, E and F were induced and treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bwt of A. senegalensis and 15 mg/kg bwt rutin, respectively. Furthermore, group G animals were pre-treated with 100 mg/kg bwt of extract daily for two weeks before induction, while group H was administered 200 mg/kg bwt of extract only. Treatments were administered orally for 14 days. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Malonaldehyde (MDA), creatinine and urea increased (p< 0.05), while reduced glutathione(GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased (p < 0.05) in the induced-only group compared to the extract and rutin administered groups. Treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg bwt A. senegalensis extract and rutin significantly (p < 0.05) reversed these effects. Histological results showed reduced vascular constrictions in the extract and rutin-treated groups. These results show that the extract of A. senegalensis was able to bring the antioxidant, liver and oxidative stress biomarkers close to normal while ameliorating hepatocellular lesions observed after DMBA induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
