THE EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF JATROPHA TANJORENSIS ON SOME LIVER ENZYMES AND HISTOLOGY OF THE LIVER IN ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

The liver is an important physiological organ which when damaged may lead to alterations in metabolic activities. The participation of hepatic cells in a variety of metabolic activities including biotransformation and excretion of materials makes the liver more vulnerable and susceptible to toxicity from these agents (Gulati et al., 2018; Obianime and Uchie, 2008). The present study evaluated the effect of methanolic extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on the liver and some liver enzymes. Liver integrity is often determined by measuring the blood levels of ALT, AST and ALP. Aminotransferases are markers of hepatocellular damage and injury to the liver, whether acute or chronic, eventually results in an increase in their serum concentrations. AST and ALT are enzymes that catalyse the transfer of α-amino groups from aspartate and alanine to the - keto group of ketoglutaric acid to generate oxaloacetic and pyruvic acids respectively, which are important contributors to the citric acid cycle (Hyder et al., 2013). Both aminotransferases are highly concentrated in the liver. Both AST and ALT are released into the blood in greater amounts when hepatocytes are damaged (Aragon and Younossi, 2010).