Ournal of Pplied Cience and Nvironmental Anagement

Ficus exasperata is an important medicinal plant with a wide geographical distribution in Africa particularly in Nigeria. In this study, aqueous stem bark extracts of Ficus exasperata were administered to investigate its hepatoprotective effects on Paracetamol induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. A total of Twenty Five Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups labeled A-E and kept in a well ventilated room. Group A served as control and were treated with distilled water. Rats in groups B-E were all treated with Paracetamol (800mg/kg body weight) but rats in group C, D and E were however pretreated with Silymarin (50 mg/kg bw), 100mg/kg bw aqueous stem bark extracts of Ficus exasperata and 200mg/kg bw aqueous stem bark extracts of Ficus exasperata respectively one hour before Paracetamol administration for fourteen days. Animals were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last treatment. Blood samples were collected into heparinized bottles for biochemical estimation of liver enzymes and the liver was harvested for routine histological examination. Paracetamol produced significant changes in biochemical parameters (increases in serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), with a reduction in Total protein) and Liver histology (damage to hepatocytes). Pretreatment with Silymarin and aqueous stem bark extracts of Ficus exasperata significantly prevented the biochemical and histological changes induced by Paracetamol in the liver. In conclusion, our histological and biochemical findings indicate that aqueous stem bark extracts of Ficus exasperata possesses hepatoprotective properties. © JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v19i1.20 Introduction: The Liver is a key organ in the human body and is a frequent target for a number of toxicants (Meyer et al., 2001). Liver damage due to hepatotoxic agents is of dire consequences, prompting an ever increasing need of an agent which could protect it from such damage. There is a worldwide trend to go back to traditional medicinal plants in the treatment of liver diseases as synthetic drugs used in the treatment of liver diseases have serious adverse side effects and are often times inadequate (Mitra et al. 2000). Ficus exasperata Vahl (Moraceae) is an important medicinal plant with a wide geographical distribution in Africa particularly in Nigeria. (Hallan, 1999; Abbiw, 1990). In Nigeria there are over 45 different species of Ficus (Keay, 1964), such as Ficus glomosa, Ficus lecardi, Ficus goliath, Ficus capensis, Ficus ingens and Ficus elastica, which can be found besides rivers and streams and also in the Savannah, rainforest. The leaves are oval, it has elliptic leaves with a very rough surface and are alternately arranged making them look like sand paper. Ficus exasperata (Vahl) is commonly known as sand paper tree (“Ewe Ipin”) in Yoruba. Other various local names include; Anwerenwa (Igbo), Erepin (Yoruba), Kawusa (Nupe), Ameme (Edo), (Bafor et al. 2009). The leaf extract from Ficus exasperata is reported to have diverse uses such as treating hypertensive patients (Buniyamin et al. 2007), coughs and heamorrhoid (Odunbaku et al. 2008). Numerous pharmacological actions such as lipid lowering, antidiabetic and antifungal activities have been reported for Ficus exasperata (Sonibare et al. 2006), and more recently the use of Ficus exasperata for treating several problems like difficult child birth, bleeding and diarrhoea in traditional medicine was reported (Ijeh and Agbor 2006). It is also used for treating various infections and as sand paper for polishing woods (Cousins and Micheal 2002). MATERIALS AND METHOD Plant Material: The Stem bark of Ficus exasperata were collected from the University of Benin environment, in Benin City, Nigeria and was identified and authenticated by Mr. Sunny Nweke of the Stem Bark Extracts of Ficus exasperata protects the Liver 156 1 ENOGIERU, AB; 1 CHARLES, YO; 1 OMORUYI, SI; 1 MOMODU, OI; 1 EZEUKO, VC Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin. Preparation Of Extract: The stem bark of Ficus exasperata were washed with normal saline, air dried at room temperature and protected from direct sunlight for two weeks. The air-dried specimens were then pulverized using the laboratory hammer-mill and the powdered samples were stored in air and water-proof containers until required for extraction. 2.0 kg of the powdered stem bark of Ficus exasperata was extracted in distilled water by percolation for 24 hours. The mixture was filtered using Whatmann filtered paper and the filtrate evaporated at 60 0 C using a vacuum Rotary evaporator. An aliquot portion of the extract residue was stored in a refrigerator and a measured portion was dissolved in distilled water for use on each day of the experiment. Animal Care: The School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin granted approval before the work commenced. The adult male Wistar rats weighing between 230-260g were obtained and maintained in the Animal Holdings of the Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria. The animals were fed with grower's mash obtained from Edo Feeds and Flour Mill Limited, Ewu, Edo State, Nigeria and given feeds liberally. Drugs And Dosing Schedule: The Wistar rats were divided into five Groups; Group A (Control), Group B (Paracetamol treated), Group C (Paracetamol + Silymarin treated), Group D and E (Paracetamol + Extract). Rats in group A served as the control group and were given distilled water.. Rats in groups B were administered Paracetamol only at 800mg/kg body weight per day for fourteen days consecutively via the oral route. Simultaneously but at different hours of the day, rats in groups C, D and E were administered with Silymarin (50mg/kg), aqueous stem bark extracts of Ficus exasperata in doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively an hour before administration of Paracetamol (800mg/kg body weight, orally) via the orogastric tube for fourteen