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ABSTRACT
Liver diseases is one of the most challenging health diseases and it is quite challenging to the health care professionals including the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Liver disease can be caused by use of medications, toxic substances and excessive consumption of alcohol. Liver problems can also be caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, and food absorbed in the body from the intestine which expose it to harmfull substances. In Nigeria Ficus vogelli is used as an effective anti-anaemic 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 vogelli against paracetamol induced toxicity in Wistar rats, to determine the effect of Paracetamol on the livers of Wistar rats and also compare the hepatoprotective potential of 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 Group 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 Group 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.
