Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, diclofenac, hepatotoxicity, histopathology."> Aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina ameliorates adverse effects of diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity – Direct Research Journal of Health and Pharmacology
Aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina ameliorates adverse effects of diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity Aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina ameliorates adverse effects of diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity – Direct Research Journal of Health and Pharmacology
Original Research Article

Aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina ameliorates adverse effects of diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity

Zailani, A. H.*

Adisa, H. B.

Article Number: DRJA60923784
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJHP.2018.3784
ISSN: 2449-0814

Vol.6 (1), pp. 1-6, April 2018

Copyright © 2018
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article


Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina has many uses in folk medicine which has been authenticated. Diclofenac is a frequently prescribed anti-inflammatory, analgesic drug; its use has been reported to produce severe hepatic reactions. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Vernonia amygdalina on diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity. Twenty five albino rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Rats in groups 2 to 5 were administered 100 mg/Kg body weight diclofenac once intraperitoneally. After 24 h groups 3, 4 and 5 received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for 21 days. Group 1 served as normal control and group 2 as diclofenac control. Liver function indices and histopathology of the liver were evaluated. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, phlobatannins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. Diclofenac caused significant (p<0.05) increase in the activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine transaminases in the serum and liver homogenates of rats and significantly reduced (p<0.05) total protein compared to control. The extract was able to restore the activities of the enzymes towards normal. The liver tissues of animals treated with Vernonia amygdalina produced normal histolopathological features while the diclofenac control showed mild vacuolar degeneration. The results have shown the adverse effects of diclofenac administration on the liver of experimental animals while treatment with aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina was able to ameliorate these changes by restoring the function indices and histopathological lesions towards normal.

Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, diclofenac, hepatotoxicity, histopathology.
 Received: March 23, 2018  Accepted: April 19, 2018  Published: April 23, 2018



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