Liver weight

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of ginger on the liver of adult wistar rats. Twenty adult wistar rats weighing 190-215g were used for the study. They were divided into four groups (A, B, C & D) of five animals each. Group A served as the control and were orally administered 0.2ml of distilled water; the experimental groups B, C & D were orally administered 0.3ml, 0.6ml and 0.9ml of aqueous extract of ginger respectively for twenty one days. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were weighed, sacrificed under the influence of chloroform vapour and dissected. The liver organ were harvested, weighed and trimmed down to a size of 3mm x 3mm and fixed in 10% formalin for histological studies. The final body weight result showed that groups C & D reduced significantly (P>0.05) when compared with the control while Group B final body weight increased significantly (P>0.05) relative to the control. The mean relative organ weight in groups C and D increased significantly (P>0.05) when compare with the control while group B had a similar weight with the control group A. Histological result showed that groups C and D tissues showed mild fibrosis around the central vein, congested sinusoids in a background of hepatocellular hypertrophy while group B showed normal cyto-architecture of the liver. From these findings, aqueous ginger extract administered in high doses may cause histopathological lesions to the liver.

Guava leaves are among the herbs thought to be safe because they are natural yet herbs may contain hundreds of components that causes ill effects directly or through interaction with orthodox drugs. This work is aimed at investigating the histological effects of guava leaf extract on the liver of adult wistar rats. Twenty wistar rats weighing between 160 to 300g were used for the study. They were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group A served as the control and received only distilled water. The experimental groups B, C and D. received oral doses of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 750 mg/kg of guava leaf extract respectively for fourteen days. The animals were sacrificed using, chloroform vapor inhalation method and dissected. Liver tissues were removed, weighed, trimmed down and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. There were no histological alterations in the liver cell of the experimental groups compared with the control.

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of Aframomum melegueta aqueous extract on liver enzymes of adult wistar rats. Twenty healthy wistar rats weighing between 180-215kg were used. They were divided into four groups (A, B, C & D) of five animals each. Group A served as the control and received 0.35ml of distilled water; the experimental groups B, C & D were orally administered with 0.55ml, 0.65ml and 0.75ml of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta respectively for twenty eight days. The control A and experimental groups were weighed, anaesthetized under chloroform vapour and dissected. 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 without anticoagulant. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined using randox kit method. The final body weight of the experimental groups increased significantly (P˂0.001) with the control. The relative liver weight of the experimental groups (B, C & D) statistically increased (P˂0.001) relative to the control. The activity levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the experimental groups (B, C & D) are similar with the control (A). This study therefore suggest that consumption of Aframomum melegueta aqueous extract at low and high doses did not cause biochemical alteration in the liver enzymes.

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