Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of Aqeous Leaf Extract of Swietenia Mahogani (Maliaceae) in Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Material and Methods. The animals were given increasing concentrations (10% ethanol (v/v) in water for 1week, 20% (v/v) for another 2 weeks and 30% (v/v) for 9 weeks) per os daily. Treatment with the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) was instituted 6 h after given the alcohol for the same period the alcohol intake lasted. Thereafter, the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were assayed in the serum. The levels of other biochemical markers of organ damage such as total bilirubin and creatinine, as well as pentobarbitone sleeping time were determined. Histological examination of the liver was also performed.