ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of methanol extract ofAcanthus montanus leaves on the liver function indices of paracetamol induced male Wistar albino rats. Acute toxicity study was carried out using 18 male Wistar albino mice while 20 male Wistar albino rats were used for the evaluation ofthe effect ofthe extract on liver function indices. The rats were divided into 5 groups of 4 rats each. Group 1 served as normal control and received 2 ml/kg b wt. of distilled water. Group 2 served as positive control that was paracetamol induced but not treated. Group 3 served as standared control that was paracetamol induced and treated with 100 mg/kg b.wt silymarin (a standard drug). Group 4 and 5 were paracetamol indued and treated with methanol extract ofAcanthus montanus for 14 days. The acute toxicity study of methanol extract ofAcanthus montanus leaves was determined using Lorke's method (1983). The administration was done orally, the animals were then observed over 24 hour period for nervousness, dullness, in-coordination or death but non was observed.There was significant reduction in the Alanine ammo transferase( ALT ), Aspartate amino transferase (AST), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) serum activities of group 3 and 4 rats that were paracetamol induced but treated with a standard drug (silymarin) and 200 mg/kg body weight ofmethanol extract ofA. montanus respectively when compared to-Group 2 rats and a decrease in group 5 that were paracetamol induced and received and 500 mg/kg body weight of methanol extract ofA. montanus when compared to the Group 2 rats. There was significant increase in the levels ofTotal protein and Albumin in Group 3, 4 and 5 when compared to Group 2 rat. The result obtained were analyzed using the statistical products and services solutions, and the result was presented as mean ± standard deviation while the mean was compared for statistical significance using Ducan's multiple comparison post Hoc test (LDS). Significant difference of the result were established by one-way analysis ofvariance (ANOVA) and acceptable level of significance as p < 0.05 for all the results. The findings from this study, suggests that the extract possess hepatocuratives activities which can effectively capture the toxic metabolite in the body, hence limiting the severity ofhepatotoxicity.