Abstract

Azadirachta indica, used in many parts of the world as herbal medicine, has been reported to be antioxidative and hepatoprotective. This study investigated the effect of leaves aqueous extract of A. indica on plasma levels of vitamins C and E, liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in Wistar rats with hepatotoxicity. Four groups of twenty Wistar rats each was used. Group A was given normal saline, group B 800 mg/kg body weight of paracetamol, group C 800 mg/kg body weight paracetamol and 400 mg/kg body weight of leaves extract of A. indica and group D 800 mg/kg body weight paracetamol and 1000 mg/kg of leaves extract of A. indica. The animals were weighed before and after the experiment and the levels of ALT, AST, ALP and vitamins C and E were estimated. There were significant differences between the initial and final mean weights of the animals (ρ<0.05). Plasma liver enzymes were significantly increased in group B, while these enzymes were significantly decreased in group D when compared with B (ρ< 0.05). There was no change in ALP levels (ρ>0.05). Vitamins C and E in liver homogenate were decreased in group B and increased in group D (ρ<0.05) while group C showed no change (ρ>0.05). Vitamins C and E were decreased in group B and increased in group D (ρ<0.05). The observed decrease in liver enzymes and increase in vitamins C and E in group D suggest that the extract enhances vitamins C and E levels, and may be hepatoprotective. 

Key words: Azadirachta indica, hepatotoxicity, vitamins C and E, paracetamol, Wistar rats.