Aqueous Root Extract of Piliostigma thonningii Modulates the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Levels in Paracetamol-Induced Damage in Rabbits

Paracetamol is notorious for causing liver damage due to excessive generation of free radicals due to overdose ingestion. The body has an antioxidant system comprising enzymes and non-enzymes, which help to mop up free radicals generated. This study examined the effect of aqueous root extract of Piliostigma thonningii on the lipids, malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels, and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the liver and kidney of paracetamol-induced damage in rabbits. The dose of paracetamol and extract administered were 1000 mg/kg- and 200 mg/kg body weight of rabbit, respectively. The group administered paracetamol only had elevated levels of lipids and malondialdehyde in addition to low levels of reduced glutathione as well as reduced activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase compared with the control. The groups administered paracetamol and extracts had low levels of lipids compared to the paracetamol group. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes varies in the groups administered paracetamol and Piliostigma thonningii root extract.