Comparative evaluation of the effects of n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol fractions of Ricinus communis in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxic rats

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Background:Ricinus communis(R.communis)is widely used among the Nigerian populace in ethnomedicine for the treatment of liver diseases.Aim of the study:A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of its n-hexane,chloroform,and methanol fractions using carbon tetrachloride-(CCL4)-induced hepatotoxicity model.Materials and Methods:Thirty Wistar rats were randomized as follows; Negative control group1 received Tween80, Positive group2 received CCL4 only. Treatment groups(3,4and5)received CCl4 + N-hexane, chloroform and methanol fractions, 100 mg/kg respectively. Standard reference, group6, received CCl4 + Silymarin, 100 mg/kg.The animals were treated for 7 consecutive days and hepatotoxicity was induced in groups 1,2,3,4 and 6 by a single oral administration of CCL4(2mL/kg).Thereafter, blood samples were collected for assay of haematological parameters and liver enzymes(aspartate aminotransferase,AST and alanine aminotransferase,ALT).Results:There were significant decrease(p < 0.05)in serum AST/ALT levels of animals treated with chloroform fraction(50.00±6.01 u/L/21.40±0.98 u/L)and methanol fraction(51.25 ± 2.88 u/L/24.80±1.52 u/L).The chloroform fraction produced a better improvement in haematological parameters when compared with other treatment groups. Photomicrograph showed near-normal structural liver integrity of the rats administered chloroform fraction. Conclusions:This study validates the usefulness of R.communis in the treatment of haematological disorders in patients with hepatic disorders. The chloroform fraction could be a promising fraction for further investigation and characterization of hepatoprotective compound(s).