Evaluation of Hepatotoxic effects of Leaves Extract of Cassia italica   (Mill.) Lam. ex F.W. Ander (Leguminosae) in Albino Rats

The hepatotoxic effect of aqueous leaves extract of Cassia italica on some liver function parameters was investigated in albino rats. Five groups of the rats were administered the following graded doses of the extract orally: 0, 300, 600, 1500 and 3000 mg/kg bw, for groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, once daily for 28 days. The serum ALAT, ASAT and ALP levels were found to increase significantly (p<0.05) in all the groups when compared to the control; whereas the serum Albumin levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all the groups when compared with the control. There was also a significant increase in Total Bilirubin level (p<0.05) in the groups administered with 3000 and 1500 mg/kg bw, but the reverse was the case in the groups administered with 600 and 300 mg/kg bw of the extract, which showed significant decrease (p<0.05) when compared with the control. These results suggest that, the aqueous leaves extract of Cassia italica has adverse effects on the functional capacities of rat liver.