Protection of rats by extracts of some common Nigerian trees against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca, Khaya senegalensis, Prosopis africana and Vitellaria paradoxa were screened for their phytochemical constituents. Stem barks of the species were also investigated for hepatoprotective effects in Wistar albino rats. Different groups of animals were pre-treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of plant extracts for 10 days and administered with paracetamol (2 g/kg) on the 10th day. The effect of the extracts on serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in the rats. The leaf, stem and root extracts of all the plants except Vitellaria paradoxa showed preponderance of saponin and tannin. Phlobatannin, cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones were observed in concentrations ranging between 10 to 100 mg/kg plant material. Stem bark extracts of the four plants produced significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotective effects by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes. Values recorded for AST, ALT and ALP were significantly lower compared to those recorded for control rats. A higher inhibition of serum level elevation of ALP was observed with the four extracts. From these results, it was suggested that the extracts could protect the liver cells from paracetamolinduced liver damages perhaps by eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from the dru

Protective effect of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury

Protective effect of ethanol extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf was studied on carbon tetrachlorideinduced liver damage. Pretreatment of rats with 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt of Z. mauritiana leaf extract protected rats against carbon tetrachloride liver injury by significantly lowering aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransamine (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), and lipid peroxide levels compared to control. The extract at both doses also significantly restored depleted levels of glutathione and vitamin E compared to control. Reduction in lipid peroxidation, restoration of glutathione and vitamin E levels indicate strong antioxidant property of the leaf. Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract of Z. mauritiana indicates probable presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins and saponins

Levels of antinutritional factors in some wild edible fruits of Northern Nigeria

Sixteen wild fruits commonly consumed in northern Nigeria were assessed chemically for the presence of oxalate, phytate, saponin, and tannin. The highest level of oxalate was found in Zizyphus spinachristi,Zizyphus mauritiana and Balanite aegyptiaca (16.20±2.12%, 15.50±1.50% and 14.50±2.08%, respectively). Phytate was highest in Sclerocarya birrea (3.56±0.54%) and Haematostaphis barteri(3.30±0.10%). B. aegyptiaca, Detarium microcarpum and Parkia biglobosa had the highest saponin values of 16.01±0.02, 12.10±0.05 and 12.23±0.46% respectively. While tannin was highest in B.aegyptiaca (7.40±0.14%), closely followed by Hyphaena thebaica (6.39±0.5%) and Borassus aethiopum (5.90±0.13%). Though these antinutrients can interfere with nutrients utilization when in highconcentration, the values obtained for the fruits analysed were not up to the toxic levels of the antinutrients. Fruits such as Vittaleria paradoxum, Adansonia digitata, Diospyros mespiliformis Phoenixdactylifera and young shoot of Bor. aethiopum are highly recommended for consumption as they contain low amount of the antinutrients analysed

Comparatcve chemical evaluation of locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) fruit pulp harvested during the dry and wet season

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