OC Okonkwo

This work is aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria extract on liver enzymes following oral administration. Twenty wistar rats of weights 195 -215kg were divided into four groups designated as A,B,C & D. Group A served as the control and received 0.4ml of distilled water;  the experimental groups B,C &D were orally administered with 0.6ml, 0.75ml and 0.81ml of extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria for twenty eight days. Twenty four hours after the  last administration, the animals were weighed, anaesthetized under chloroform vapour and dissected. The liver tissues were removed and weighed. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture using sterile syringes and  needles. Blood for serum preparation was collected into sterile plain tubes and stored in the refrigerator for analysis. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphotase (ALP) were determined using randox kit method.  The final body weight of the experimental groups (B,C & D) increased significantly (P