This study investigated the nutritional, elemental mineral and modulatory activity of the crude stem back extract of Entandrophragma utile (EU) on the plasma levels of some liver enzymes and biomolecules in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated albino Wistar rats. The EU extract was screened for its nutritional and elemental mineral properties. Modulatory activity of EU was tested using twenty-five male rats (120 – 150 g), which were randomized into five groups and fed rat chow and water ad libitum throughout the experiment. Group I (control) was administered distilled water only. Groups II – V were intoxicated with a single dose of carbon tetrachloride- CCl4 (1.25 mL/kg bw in olive oil (1:1); intraperitoneally) to induce liver injury. While rats in Group II were not treated, Groups III – V were treated with silymarin (50 mg/kg bw), EU crude extract 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw, respectively, once daily, for eight days. Subsequently, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin and bilirubin were evaluated. All experiments were done using standard procedures. The liver architecture was also examined for histopathological changes. Nutritional analysis showed reasonable amounts of nitrogen free extract (NFE), crude fat, crude protein, moisture, crude ash and crude fibre. Also, the presence of P, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Se and Zn were detected. Meanwhile, there were significant increases (p ˂ 0.05) in plasma hepatic enzyme (ALT, AST and ALP) activities and bilirubin concentration, with a reduction in total protein and albumin levels of intoxicated rats when compared to control group. Administration of EU and silymarin ameliorated the toxic assault from CCl4. Similarly, EU significantly mitigated the aberrations caused by CCl4 to the liver architecture. Findings from this study, suggest a rich nutritional status and a hepatoprotective activity of EU crude extract against CCl4 -induced liver injury in rats.
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Page Range
127-135
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