Project Materials

THE EFFECT OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ANCHOMANES DIFFORMIS (BLUME) ON LIVER FUNCTIONS OF ADULT WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

Twenty adult wistar rats were purchased from the Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training (IMRAT), UCH, Ibadan, in order to conduct this study, which sought to ascertain the impact of administering Achomanes Difformis (blume) on liver functions in these rats. Four groups of rats were created, one of which served as a control group and was fed a regular meal and water. 300 mg/kg/b.wt, 500 mg/kg/b.wt, and 700 mg/kg/b.wt were given to the other groups (A, B, and C), respectively. The herb was used for a total of fourteen days. To ensure good hygiene, their cages were cleaned daily. After two weeks of medication delivery, the rats were promptly slaughtered. Anchomanes difformis administration has a hepatotoxic effect, according to the results. It revealed that, in comparison to the control group, there was a negligible rise (p>0.05) in the levels of AST, ALT, and ALP as well as a decrease (p>0.05) in the levels of Total and Direct Bilirubin in the plasma at various herb dosage rates. The outcome shows that adult wistar rats are hepatotoxically affected when they consume Anchomanes difformis.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 MEDICAL VEGETABLES

Globally, the use of herbal therapy to treat illnesses is growing (Kaufman et al., 2002). This can be linked to customers’ rising confidence in the efficacy and safety of herbal treatments.

In fact, research and clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of several medicinal plants in the treatment of illnesses (Oguntola, 2007).

According to Sofowora (1982), a medicinal plant is any plant that contains a chemical that can be utilised therapeutically or that serves as a precursor for the manufacture of valuable pharmaceuticals in one or more of its organs.

Generally speaking, “medicinal plants” are those that have therapeutic qualities or have positive physiological impacts on animals. Even though the medicinal plants that grow beside them don’t seem to have any particular traits, they do have certain unique traits that make them valuable in medicine.

Secondary metabolites are chemical substances found in medicinal plants that have the ability to affect human behaviour. Small amounts of active chemicals found in plants give them their therapeutic qualities by causing physiological effects in both human and animal bodies (Zaidi, 1998).

Typically, these components are made in various areas, such as the roots, leaves, fruits, and seeds (Kochnar, 1981). Tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and other bioactive substances are obtained from plants and are important for physiology, nutrition, and the management of a number of illnesses (Sofowora, 1993).