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Possible hepatoprotective potentials of Dialium guineense pulp on acetaminophen-provoked hepatotoxicity in female albino rats

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Abstract

Liver damage has been on the increase especially the drug-induced type. Medicinal plants have been advocated for managing certain ailments due to its wide safety margin. This study investigated the possible hepatoprotective properties of Dialium guineense pulp in acetaminophen-induced liver injury in female albino rats. Thirty female rats weighing between 150 and 193 g and assigned into 6 groups (A-F) of 5 rats per group were used in this study. Rats in groups C–E were pretreated with the pulverized D. guineense pulp included in the basal diet (Chikun finisher) at varying inclusion rates of 12.5%, 6.25% and 3.125% respectively, while rats in group F were pretreated with silymarin (100 mg/kg), a standard hepatoprotective drug. Groups A and B were pretreated with distilled water. All pretreatments lasted for 21 days. On day 22, acetaminophen (2000 mg/kg) was administered to all the rats in groups B–F to induce liver injury. The daily feed intakes (DFI) were recorded. In 48-h post-acetaminophen administration, blood and serum samples were collected for haematological (PCV, RBC, Hb and TWBC) and serum biochemical (AST, ALT, ALP, reduced glutathione, catalase, bilirubin) assays respectively. Group D rats (6.25% inclusion) had the highest feed intake. The mean PCV and Hb values of group D rats were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the negative control group but similar with those of the other groups. Results also showed that the AST, ALT and ALP activities of the extract-treated groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with group B (negative control). The mean reduced glutathione value and the mean catalase activity of the negative control group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of their corresponding normal control. In conclusion, Dialium guineense extract exhibited possible hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant activities especially at the inclusion rate of 6.25%.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Patrick E. Aba, Cosmas E. Obinatu & Samuel C. Udem

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  1. Patrick E. Aba
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  2. Cosmas E. Obinatu
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  3. Samuel C. Udem
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Contributions

Author P.E Aba conceptualized and designed the study; author C.E Obinatu carried out the experiment, while S.C Udem analysed the data and drafted the manuscript. All the authors read through and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Patrick E. Aba.

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The handling, housing and welfare of the laboratory animals were in accordance with ethical rules and regulations guiding the conduct of research as approved by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Ethical Committee on Use of Research Animals (ECUN14/91784).

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Aba, P.E., Obinatu, C.E. & Udem, S.C. Possible hepatoprotective potentials of Dialium guineense pulp on acetaminophen-provoked hepatotoxicity in female albino rats. Comp Clin Pathol 31, 409–415 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-022-03340-6

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