Ficus exasperata
is an important medicinal plant with a wide geographical
distribution in Africa particularly in Nigeria. In this study, aqueous stem bark extracts of
Ficus
exasperata were administered to investigate its hepatoprotective effects on Paracetamol induced
liver toxicity in Wistar rats. A total of Twenty Five Wistar rats were randomly divided into five
groups labeled A-E and kept in a well ventilated room. Group A served as control and were
treated with distilled water. Rats in groups B-E were all treated with Paracetamol (800mg/kg
body weight) but rats in group C, D and E were however pretreated with Silymarin (50 mg/kg
bw), 100mg/kg bw aqueous stem bark extracts of
Ficus exasperata and 200mg/kg bw aqueous
stem bark extracts of
Ficus exasperata respectively one hour before Paracetamol administration
for fourteen days. Animals were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last treatment. Blood
samples were collected into heparinized bottles for biochemical estimation of liver enzymes and
the liver was harvested for routine histological examination. Paracetamol produced significant
changes in biochemical parameters (increases in serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT),
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), with a reduction in Total
protein) and Liver histology (damage to hepatocytes). Pretreatment with Silymarin and aqueous
stem bark extracts of
Ficus exasperata significantly prevented the biochemical and histological
changes induced by Paracetamol in the liver. In conclusion, our histological and biochemical
findings indicate that aqueous stem bark extracts of
Ficus exasperata possesses hepatoprotective
properties.
