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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF
ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM AND
ALTERNANTHERA DENTATE LEAVES IN RATS.
Sylvester Chika Ohadoma*
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To comparatively investigate the hepatoprotective effect of
ethanol extracts of Gongronema latifolium and Alternanthera dentate
leaves in experimental rats. Methods: Two sets (A and B) of four
groups comprising five rats each were used. Each of A and B sets had
a control group while the other 3 groups were administered different
concentrations 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of ethanol extracts of G.
latifolium and A. dentate respectively, once daily for 14 days. The
alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB) and bilirubin
(BIL) levels were evaluated. Results: All medicaments significantly
(p<0.05) showed reduced ALT, AST, ALP, ALB, BIL and increased TP levels, with G.
latifolium exhibiting greater efficacy than A. dentate. Conclusion: The leaves extracts of G.
latifolium and A. dentate possess hepatoprotective effect.
KEYWORDS: Gongronema latifolium, Alternanthera dentate, hepatoprotective effect,
comparative analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The use of medicinal plants especially in the developing countries for the treatment of
common illnesses as well as persistent diseases has often maintained popularity for historical
and cultural reasons.[1,2] The practice has gained continued grounds making traditional
medicine an inevitable global discourse. This age-long practice has encouraged research into
pharmacologic activities of plants secondary metabolites and has improved modern
pharmacotherapeutics around the world.[3,4] The phytomedicines are now available as food
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
SJIF Impact Factor 5.210
Volume 5, Issue 1, 156-163 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357
Article Received on
08 Nov 2015,
Revised on 28 Nov 2015,
Accepted on 21 Dec 2015
*Correspondence for
Author
Sylvester Chika Ohadoma
Department of
Pharmacology, College of
Medicine, Imo State
University, Owerri, Nigeria.
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Ohadoma. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
supplements in most countries. Despite the essential contribution to healthcare delivery
particularly in the developing countries like Nigeria mainly because of low cost and
availability, yet there is growing concern about the safety of crude extracts from plants.[5]
Indeed, studies have established that some plants species are potentially toxic to vital organs
such as liver, kidney, heart, pancrease, spleen, intestine, of animals.[6, 7] The risk of such
toxicity may be greater in individual taking other medications or with genetic traits that
increase the bioavailability of these compounds.[8] It is only when toxicity study data are
compared to the evidence for beneficial health effects can a balanced judgment be made
regarding the potential utility of these compounds for disease prevention and treatment.[9] The
versatility in the use of Gongronema latifolium and Alternanthera dentate in the management
of several disease conditions and their safety/toxicity considerations, informed the choice for
this study. Gongronema latifolium referred to as bush buck belongs to the family
Asclepiadaceae.[10] It is known as ‘utazi’ in the South-eastern and ‘arokeke’ in the South-
western parts of Nigeria.[11] G. latifolium has been reported to exert anthelminthic effect.[12]
The leaves are used to prepare soup for mothers that have recently put to bed, where it is
believed to stimulate appetite, reduce post-partum contraction and enhance the resumption of
the menstrual cycle.[13] G. latifolium is also notable for maintenance of blood glucose
level[14], antioxidative effect[15], haemoglobin formation [16], blood pressure lowering[17] and
anti-inflammatory[10] effects. The crude extract of Alternanthera dentate leaves has
reportedly been used for the treatment of night blindness; as antiviral against herpes simplex
virus and treatment of snake and scorpion bites.[18] This present study was aimed at
comparing the hepatoprotective effects of G. latifolium and A. dentate in normal rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant materials
The fresh leaves of Gongronema latifolium and Alternanthera dentate were collected from
owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; and authenticated by Osuala, FN of Pharmacognosy Department,
Madonna University, Elele, Nigeria. The leaves were air-dried at room temperature for 28
days.
The leaves ground separately to five powder were extracted using soxhlet extractor with
ethanol as the solvent. After filteration, the crude ethanol extracts were concentrated using
rotary evaporator.
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Animals
Forty (40) adult male Wister rats (150-220 g) kept in the Laboratory Animals Facility of
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Madonna University, Elele, Nigeria, were
used in the studies. The animals were maintained under standard laboratory situations and
had free access to standard pellets (Vital feeds, Plc, Nigeria) and clean water. Prior to
experimental uses, the animals were transferred to work area and allowed for two weeks of
acclimatization.
Experimental design
The animals were randomly selected into two sets (A and B) of four groups comprising five
rats each. Each set had one group which served as control while the other 3 groups in the 2
sets were administered different concentrations of ethanol leaf extracts. The control groups
were administered normal saline while the other groups were administered 100, 200, and 300
mg/kg of the ethanol extracts of G. latifolium and A. dentate respectively, through oral
intubation once daily for 14 days. The animals were sacrificed on the 15th day by cervical
dislocation and the blood samples collected by cardiac puncture. Blood was allowed to clot
and then separated by centrifugation to obtain serum.
Biochemical assays
The alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP),
total protein (TP), albumin (ALB) and bilirubin (BIL) levels were evaluated using assay kits
(Randox Laboratory Ltd, United Kingdom BT 294 QY). The principle was based on
colorimetric measurement.
Statistical analysis
Data were expressed as mean standard error of mean (SEM). Statistical comparisons were
performed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test and
student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons test and the values were considered statistically
significant when p-value is less than 0.05 (p<0.05).
RESULTS
The biochemical assays showed reduction in ALT level which increased with increase in
concentrations of ethanol extract of A. dentate leaves administered. The lowest concentration
(100 mg/kg) was most potent with 64.5% reduction. ALP levels showed non dose-dependent,
significant reduction (p< 0.05). There was increase in AST, TP, ALB, and BIL levels which
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were not significant when compared with the control (Table I). The ethanol extract of G.
latifolium leaves showed concentration-dependent reductions (p< 0.05) in ALT, ALB and
BIL levels. The reduction in AST and ALP levels was not dependent on the concentrations of
the extract. The result showed an increase in TP that was not dose-dependent but had the
highest concentration with the 200 mg/kg, showing 58.5% increase (Table II).
Table I: The effect of ethanol extract of Alternanthera dentate on ALT, AST, ALP, TP,
ALB and BIL levels in rats.
Group
Medication
ALT
AST
ALP
TP
ALB
(g/dL)
BIL
(g/dL)
I
100 mg/kg
10.2 3.21*
15.0 2.08
35.0 13.50*
03.6 0.98
02.50 3.15*
0.15 1.20
II
200 mg/kg
13.5 6.10
16.5 1.70
63.7 20.0
03.9 3.16
02.60 9.40
0.20 15.21
III
300 mg/kg
19.0 4.25
13.5 1.32
44.5 4.96
04.2 1.55
02.8 6.15
0.16 7.464
IV
0.1 mL
Normal Saline
28.8 4.30
13.3 9.02
52.5 7.24
03.5 3.25*
02.6 6.10
0.15 3.60
*p<0.05; significant level compared with control.
Table II: The effect of ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium on ALT, AST, ALP,
TP, ALB and BIL levels in rats.
Group
Medication
ALT
AST
ALP
TP
ALB
(g/dL)
BIL
(g/dL)
I
100 mg/kg
08.5 1.53*
12.2 6.02
17.4 36.54*
04.92 1.54
01.78 0.24
0.08 0.17
II
200 mg/kg
06.2 0.11*
06.7 6.04*
36.5 18.18
05.20 1.196*
01.58 0.54*
0.03 0.34*
III
300 mg/kg
05.8 2.99*
08.6 3.77
21.8 6.64*
04.94 1.595
01.14 0.90*
0.03 1.01*
IV
0.1 mL
Normal Saline
25.3 15.20
11.6 3.93
44.6 29.67
03.8 0.49*
03.2 0.16
0.12 0.36
*p<0.05; significant level compared with control.
DISCUSSION
The results obtained in this study showed that both ethanol extracts of G. latifolium and A.
dentate leaves possess hepatoprotective properties with G. latifolium comparatively showing
greater activity. This may be attributed to the high levels of ascorbates found in G. latifolium
leaves, which are antioxidants.[17] The extracts may also act on glutathione peroxidase which
subsequently reduces oxidative stress that normally would destroy the hepatocytes.[19] The
function of the ALB includes the maintenance of osmotic pressure and binding of key
substances such as drugs which makes a reliable marker for diagnosis in liver diseases.[20, 21]
In ethanol extract of A. dentate, there was increase in ALB, AST, TP and BIL levels which
were not significant compared with the control, but noted was a significant reduction of ALB
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Ohadoma. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
serum levels in rats administered with ethanol extract of G. latifolium, which were
concentrated dependent. This did not concur with the documented report that it is indicative
of necrosis.[22] Both A. dentate and G. latifolium showed increase in TP levels which may be
due to increase in synthesis of globulin, stimulated by the extracts. The reduction of BIL
levels noted at all concentrations of G. latifolium may not be unconnected with reduction in
degradation of red cells and haemoglobin and maintenance of red cell integrity. Biochemical
evaluation of medicinal plants is a common tool for the assessment of the usefulness of herbs
and it is likely to reveal their potential toxicity or safety. However, toxicity in this case may
be a relative term since only pure and active component of the extract should be considered
when assessing toxicity. Alanine transaminase (ALT) also called serum glutamate pyruvate
transaminase or alanine aminotransferase is an enzyme present in hepatocytes. When a cell is
damaged, it leaks into the blood along with other cellular contents where they can be
measured. ALT rises dramatically in acute lives damage, such as viral hepatitis, ingestion of
xenobiotics or acetaminophen overdose.[23] Aspartate transaminase (AST) also called serum
glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT) or aspartate aminotransferase is similar to ALT in
that it is another enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells. It is raised in acute liver
damage, but it is also present in red blood cells, cardiac and skeletal muscles; therefore, not
specific to the liver. The ratio of AST to ALT is sometimes useful in differentiating between
causes of liver damage.[24] Elevated AST levels are not specific for liver damage; and AST
has also been used as a cardiac marker. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme in the cells
lining the biliary ducts of the liver, ALP levels rises with large bile duct obstruction,
intrahepatic cholestasis or infiltrative disease of the liver. ALP is also present in the bone and
placental tissue, so it is higher in growing children (as their bones are being remodeled) and
the elderly patients with Paget’s disease.[6, 25] The extracts of G. latifolium and A. dentate
exerted reduction in ALT and ALP activities in the treated animals. This is in consonance
with documents reported.[26] Nwinyi.[27] reported that the leaf extract of G. latifolium contains
saponins, terpenes, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. A. dentate has
been reported to contain a plethora of phytochemicals including flavonoids.[28] Flavonoids are
reported to exhibit antioxidant activity and are effective scavangers of superxide anions[29]; a
phenomenon that favours hepatoprotectives tendencies.
CONCLUSION
The ethanol extracts of G. latifolium and A. dentate leaves possess hepatoprotective effect
with the former being more potent.
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Source of support: Nil.
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