ABSTRACT

Liver diseases caused by toxic agents such as Carbon Tetrachloride pose significant health challenge, emphasizing the search for effective hepatoprotective agents. Therefore, this present study aims to estimate the hepatoprotective activity of Entandrophrama utile on the plasma levels of some liver enzymes. The air-dried stem bark of E. utile (1000g) was macerated and extracted with ethanol and ethyl acetate (2L) to obtain Crude Ethanol Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction of the plant. The rats were divided randomly into 10 groups; Group 1 rats which serves as the control group were administered distilled water and olive oil only. Group II to X rats were all administered a single dose of CCl₄ intraperitoneally to induce liver injury. Group II rats served as the untreated control group, Group III received a treatment regime of silymarine (70 mg/kg bw), group IV and V were treated with 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw of Crude Ethanolic Extract of Entandrophragma utile (EU) respectively, group VI and VII were treated with 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Entandrophragma utile (EU) respectively, group VIII and IX received a treatment of 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw of Ethanol Residue Extract of Entandrophragma utile (EU) respectively and group X animals received treatment of 200 mg/kg bw of Hexane extract of Entandrophragma utile (EU), once daily, for 7 days. The animals were euthanized under anesthetic conditions on the 8^th day following an overnight fast. Blood samples were obtained, and plasma was separated for biochemical analysis. A single dose of CCl₄ caused notable liver injury as shown in the elevated levels of Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and Gamma-glutamyl transferase. Administration of 400 mg/kg Crude EU Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction resulted in a significant decrease in AST activities compared to the treated group. A similar trend also occurred when compared to silymarin. However, the administration shows an increase in ALT activity compared to the untreated control group.  Also, an elevation in ALP and GGT activity was observed; there was an equal rate of elevation when the Crude EU Extract and Ethyl Acetate fraction were compared to the untreated group. However, some factors has been addressed to be the probable cause of elevation in liver enzyme activity after administration.