Hepatotherapeutic Tendency of Citrullus lanatus Rind Methanolic Extract on Liver Markers in Male Wistar Rats

It is a common practice to dispose the peel or rind of fruits. Interestingly, some parts of fruits humans find unacceptable to eat actually possess bioactive nutrients that can be used for medicinal purposes.  The effect of methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus rind on liver function in normal male wistar rats was studied. 24 wistar rats with body weight between 150-250 g were used for this study. The animals were randomly divided into four groups, with 6 rats in each. Group 1 contained the control given normal saline and feed; group 2, low dose, 50mg/kg of methanolic extract of  Citrullus lanatus rind was administered, group 3 and 4 were administered medium and high dose of Citrullus lanatus rind extract 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively. The Citrullus lanatus rind extract was administered via orogastric route and the experiment lasted for a period of 56 days. Blood samples were collected by left ventricular cardiac puncture for liver function test at the last day of the experiment.  The outcome of this research revealed that medium and high dose administration of citrullus lanatus rind significantly (p≤0.05) reduced the serum level of liver enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase and also total protein.There was a non-significant (P≤0.05) change in serum total bilirubin and albumin when all doses were compared to the control. Prolonged and moderate ingestion of Citrullus lanatus rind may be of benefit in regulating blood level of liver enzymes; hence, this part of the fruit has therapeutic value.