HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FICUS VOGELII AGAINST PARACETAMOL INDUCED TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

One of the most challenging health problems is liver disease, which can be caused by medications, toxic substances, and excessive consumption of alcohol. Liver problems can be also caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, and food. Ficus vogelii (FV) is used in Nigeria as an effective anti-diabetic, anti-anorexia and as an anti-anemia herb to boost the hemoglobin level in children and increase their body weights. The plant is also used for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in adult populations, including high blood pressure.This study is aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effect of Ficus vogelii against paracetamol induced toxicity in wistar rats, to determine the effect of paracetamol on the livers of Wistar rats and also to compare the hepatoprotective potential of the ficus extract and that of the standard hepatoprotective drug (silymarin).In the course of the experiment, the rats were divided into six groups. Group A served as the control group, and distilled water was given to them orally for seven days. Rats in Group B to Group F were given 2000mg/kg of Paracetamol orally once to induce liver ulcer after the fasting and then treatment began 12hours after administering Paracetamol. Rats in groups B were administered distilled water per day for seven days via the oral route. Rats in group C were administered Silymarin (50mg/kg) once per day for seven days, rats in groups D, E and F were administered aqueous leaf extracts of Ficus vogelli in doses of 15mg/kg, 30mg/kg and 60mg/kg body weight respectively via the orogastric tube once per day for seven days.