ABSTRACT

 This work evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of methanol leaf extract ofpiper nigrum on CdCh induced wistar albino rats. A total of 28 male wistar albino rats were purchased from the Veterinary Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The rats were acclimatized for a period of one week and fed vital grower mash and water ad libitum. They were further divided into four groups ofseven rats each. Group 1 (normal control) was given only feed and water, group 2 was orally administered 500mg/kg body weight of P. nigrum leaf extract while group 3 was intrapertoneally administered 1.2mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride. Group 4 was administered 1.2mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride + 500mg/kg body weight ofpiper nigrum extract daily for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed after the 14th day, blood drawn and their liver collected and stored for further biochemical analysis. Result ofthe study showed that serum enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and GGT), serum albumin and total bilirubin were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in group 3 when compared with the control group (group 1), this indicated liver damage. Treatment with methanol leaf extract of P. nigrum significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the activities ofthe serum enzymes, albumin and total bilirubin in group 4 when compared with group 3. Significant (P < 0.05) decrease was observed in serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx), GSH and increase in MDA when group 3 was compared with group 1, which was an indication of oxidative damage. Group 4 on the other hand showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in these serum enzymes, GSH and decrease in MDA when compared with group 3. This showed that the administration ofmethanol leaf extract ofpiper nigrum in group 4 increased the activities of the antioxidants thereby decreasing oxidation while preventing lipid peroxidation. Result of group 2 showed non-toxic effect on the rats when compared with the control group (group 1), this was evident from the histopathological studies. These results show that leaf extracts of piper nigrum is a good source of antioxidants and therefore, possess hepatoprotective properties.