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Antihepatotoxic principles of Garcinia kola seeds

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Abstract

Extracts and isolates of Garcinia kola (Guttiferae) seeds have been evaluated for hepatoprotective effects in rats, in order to validate or invalidate the traditional therapeutic indications. The ethanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions exerted a significant liver protective activity on CCl4-induced cytotoxicity in rats. This in vivo efficacy was reinforced by significant hepatoprotection on CCI4-induced hepatotoxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes. From the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract, the hydroxybiflavanonols GB1 and GB2 were isolated and characterized as the main antihepatotoxic principles. Both constituents exhibited significant liver protective effects against CCl4- and GalN-induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes. These activities were significantly better than that of silibinin, a known hepatoprotective agent obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum. This present study has shown that EA2 and EA3 exhibit hepatoprotective properties since they reduce cell membrane disturbances (reduction of GPT leakage) induced by CCl4 and GalN in isolated rat hepatocytes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by funds from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (Bonn, FRG). The author’s sincere thanks are also due to Mr. K.K. Agwu of the Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka for identifying the plant material.

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  1. Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Ifeanyi Innocent Madubunyi

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  1. Ifeanyi Innocent Madubunyi
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Correspondence to Ifeanyi Innocent Madubunyi.

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Madubunyi, I.I. Antihepatotoxic principles of Garcinia kola seeds. Comp Clin Pathol 20, 481–485 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1023-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1023-4

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