Preliminary biochemical and histological effects of con- sumption of Talinum triangulare (L.) Juss – supplemented diet on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

This preliminary study was undertaken to investigate some biochemical and histological effects of consumption of Talinum triangulare (L.) Juss – supplemented diet in hepatotoxic rats in which liver damage was induced with paracetamol. Thirty female rats were divided into six groups of five rats per group for control, hepatotoxic and non-hepatotoxic groups and were fed 5% or 10% T. triangulare-supplemented diet. Biochemical and hematological indices measured included alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total protein, glucose, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, packed cell volume, white blood cell and differentials count. Weight changes were also measured. Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase did not significantly change except for the hepatotoxic group fed 5% T. triangulare-supplemented diet. Cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased in non-hepatotoxic group fed 5% T. triangulare-supplemented diet. Glucose was significantly reduced in non-hepatotoxic groups fed T. triangularesupplemented diet and hepatotoxic group fed 10% T. triangulare-supplemented diet. Protein level was also reduced in group fed 10% T. triangulare-supplemented diet. Lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione were not significantly altered in all the groups. PCV and white blood cell counts were reduced in hepatotoxic group fed T. triangulare-supplemented diet. The consumption of T. triangulare-supplemented diet did not significantly change the weight of the animals. These findings were supplemented by histological observations of liver tissues which showed necrosis in the liver of hepatotoxic rats but with varying regeneration in the rat group fed with T. triangulare-supplemented diet.