Hepatoprotective effect of methanolic leaf extract of Boswelliadalzielii hutchon carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in wistar rats

AbstractThe aqueous extract ofBoswellia dalzielii Hutchwas reported to strengthen the liver. Hence, the effect of this planton carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. 96 male rats were divided into 7 groups of12 rats each. 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg methanolic extract of the leaves ofBoswellia dalzielii Hutchwereadministered orally for 4weeks after 0.63ml of CCl4/kg body weight was used to induce hepatotoxicity. Reducdynand vitamin E were used as standard control drugs. Liver functions were assessed by the assay of alanineaminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin(ALB), total bilirubin (TB) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The biochemical observations wereconfirmed by histological examinations of the liver sections and are comparable with the standard hepatoprotectivedrug, reducdyn and vitamin E, which served as positive control. The effect of the extract increased with increase inthe extract concentration. When the different concentrations of the extract were compared with the drugs, they werefound to mimic the hepatoprotective effect of the drugs. The overall experimental results indicate that thebiologically active antioxidant phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract ofBoswellia dalzielii Hutchcould alleviatethe toxic action of CCl4in the liver of rat.