Hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of Detarium senegalense stem bark in albino Wistar

Aim: The hepatoprotective effect of Detarium senegalense ethanol stem bark extract was evaluated against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in albino rats. Material and methods: The ethanol stem bark extract of D. senegalense at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg were orally administered once daily for 3 days.The liver function tests and biochemical investigation such as asparte transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and direct bilirubin were carried out against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Phytochemical investigation was performed to find active constituents of the plant extracts by the different phytochemical tests. Results: Pre-treatment with the ethanol stem bark extract significantly prevented the biochemical, histological, and changes induced by paracetamol in the liver. The extract showed significant hepatoprotective effects as evidenced by decreased serum enzyme activities such as AST, ALT,, ALP, TB and DB which was supported by histopatological assessment of the liver.The ethanol stem bark extract exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity comparable with silymarin, the standard drug as well as hepatotoxin agent, paracetamol. The phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, resins and balsam. Conclusion: The results of this study strongly show that ethanol stem bark extract of Detarium senegalense possess a potent hepatotoxicity activity against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in rats.