ABSTRACT
Haemochromatosis is the clinical manifestation of iron overload and indicates accumulation of iron in the body which could be hereditary or acquired. Organs commonly affected by haemochromatosis are the liver, heart and endocrine glands. Several research studies have been done on Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf), Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf), Allium sativum (Garlic), Zingiber officinale (Ginger) and Curcuma longa (Tumeric) and these studies have proven the antioxidant, hepato-protective and anti-diabetic potential of these vegetables. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of egbo’gi irin apọju containing bitter leaf, scent leaf, garlic, ginger and tumeric on ferrous chloride-induced liver toxicity in the adult Wistar rat. Thirty-five (35)adult Wistarrats, weighing 200g-250g, were obtained from the Animal House of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, acclimatized for two (2) weeks and housed in plastic cages for a period of eight (8) weeks. This study was randomly divided into five (5) groups with seven (7) animals for each group and fed with animal feed and distilled water ad libitum across all groups. Group A- (Control) received animal feed and distilled water for eight weeks, Group B- received ferrous chloride for eight weeks, Group C-ferrous chloride withdrawal group for eight weeks, Group D- received egbo’gi irinapọjufor eight weeks and Group E- received ferrous chloride (week 1 to 4) and egbo’gi irin apọju (week 5 to 8) for eight weeks. Body weight changes, oxidative stress analysis, liver function test and Histological analysis were carried out. IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 using analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison between the groups and the level of statistical significance was set at probability P<0.05. The result showed significantly higher mean values of body weight in groups A, B, C, D and E with lower relative weight of liver in group B. However, there was decreased total iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin and transferrin saturation % and there was increased unsaturated iron binding capacity in groups A, C, D and E when compared to group B. Furthermore, there were decreased liver enzyme levels (ALT and ALP) and increased AST levels in groups A, C, D and E when compared to group B. Oxidative stress markers GPx and CAT were significantly different in group B indicating presence of oxidative stress. In conclusion, egbo’gi irin apọju restored the normal cytoarchitectural structure of the liver, reduced iron overload and ameliorated the liver enzymes levels (ALT and ALP) when compared to the control group.
