Ficus thonningii Leaf Extract and its Ameliorative Effect on Hepatic Enzymes of Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Necrosis in Wistar Rats

Acetaminophen is a highly used over-the-counter drug, and a good number of drug-related liver necrosis are associated with high doses of acetaminophen. In the last decade, drug-related liver necrosis has been the most reported form of liver disease. In view of this, our research sought to determine the possible ameliorative effect(s) of Ficus thonningii leaf extract on hepatic enzymes of acetaminophen-induced liver necrotic albino wistar rats. For the study, total of 36 wistar rats were divided into six groups (A-F) with six animals in each group. Group A served as the positive control group, and rats were fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Group B was the leaf extract control group, 2,000 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract was administered all through the treatment period. Group C served as acetaminophen control group, 1,000 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen was administered throughout the inducement period, and fed ad libitum afterwards. Groups D, E and F were the test groups, liver necrosis was induced with 1,000 mg/kg body weight and they were afterwards treated with 250 (low dose), 500 (medium dose) and 1,000 (high dose) mg/kg body weight of Ficus thonningii leaf extract respectively. At the end of each treatment week (which lasted for 3 weeks), two animals from each group were sacrificed and blood sample collected. Serum was used to determine hepatic enzymes (Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase and Alkaline Phosphatase) using COBAS C311 auto-analyzer. Data obtained were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. No significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase level in liver necrotic rats administered 250, 500, as well as those given 1,000 mg/kg body weight of Ficus thonningii leaf was observed at the end of the first, second and third week of treatment. Serum alkaline aminotransferase level also followed the same trend, where no significant difference was observed. No significant diference in serum aspartate aminotransferase level was recorded in the low dose and medium dose test groups (i.e. rats treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of Ficus thonningii leaf extract respectively), however, there was a significant decrease in the high dose test group (treated with 1,000 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract) with P= 0.037, thus strengthening findings of other researchers, that Ficus thonningii leaf extract is hepatoprotective at high concentrations.