Abstract

This work aims at investigating the effect of Gouania longipetala in acetaminophen-intoxicated Wistarrats. A total oftwenty (20) Wistar rats were used for this study. They were fed pelletized Vital feed, acclimatized for a period of one (1) week and thereafter grouped into five (5) equal groups. Group 1 served as the normal control while group 2 served as acetaminophenintoxicated group. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered each, the toxic dose of acetaminophen, and the extract at 200 mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The experiment lasted for a period of2 weeks after which they were sacrificed and blood samples collected for further analysis. The results show that acetaminophen intoxication caused a significant (p<0.05) rise in serum hepatic enzymes (ALT and AST) which was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by the administration of ethanol leaves extract of Gouania longipetala . Total protein also showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the groups administered only toxic dose of acetaminophen and that with co-administration of the extract at 200 mg/kg b.w. when compared with the normal control. The group administered 1000 mg/kg b.w. of the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase when compared with the group administered the toxic dose ofacetaminophen. Total cholesterol showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the acetaminophen toxic dose group when compared with the normal control and the treated groups while administration ofthe extract at 200 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg b.w. showed significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared with the acetaminophen-only group. Therefore, this study suggests that the ethanol leaves extract of Gouania longipetala possesses some hepatoprotective and lipidemic properties.