ABSTRACT

The liver as a vital organ of the body plays an important role in detoxification of potentially harmful substances, but if overwhelmed could itself suffer hepatic injuries. Catechins are polyphenolic secondary metabolites present in plants and are known for their high antioxidant properties. The present study evaluates the possible hepatoprotective potential of catechin on liver enzymes in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatic injury in wistar rats. Twenty-five male wistar rats of average weight 160 ± 10g were randomized into five groups with five animals per group. Two weeks acclimatization was allowed and rats were granted free access to feed and water under 12 hours light/dark cycle. Group 1 served as normal control (administered distilled water and olive oil as vehicle), Group 2 was given CCl₄ without treatment, Group 3 served as standard drug control group (silymarin and CCl₄) while Groups 4 and 5 were subjected to the test compound in varying doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of catechin, respectively. All administrations were done orally and animals were handled in accordance with NIH (1985) guidelines. The effect of catechin on liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and GGT) were evaluated using standardized randox kit method. From the result obtained, The activities of AST, ALT, ALP and GGT in the groups treated with catechin (50mg) and (100mg) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease when compared with the group intoxicated with CCl₄ without treatment. AST showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared with the standard drug control group but a significant (p < 0.05) decrease when compared with the normal control in a dose dependent manner. ALT showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared with the standard drug control group but a significant (p < 0.05) increase when compared with the normal control in a dose dependent manner. ALP showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared with the standard drug control group but a significant (p < 0.05) increase when compared with the normal control in a dose dependent manner. GGT showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared with the normal control group but a significant (p < 0.05) increase when compared to the standard drug control which was not dose dependent. From the results, catechin had an ameliorating effect on hepatic injury induced by CCl₄, thus suggesting a hepatoprotective potential.