Hepatoprotective Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Garcinia Kola against Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Garcinia kola (family Guttiferae) is documented to have a wide range of therapeutic effects. The search for a more effective treatment of alcohol- induced liver injury is the main contribution of this study. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Garcinia kola against alcohol-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Method: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of four rats each. Group, I served as normal control; Group II was alcohol-induced liver injury without treatment (Negative control); Group III was alcohol-induced liver injury treated with the standard drug Silymarin 100mg/kg (positive control), and Group IV-VI were alcohol-induced liver injuries treated orally with doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight extract for 14 days. The blood samples were taken for biochemical assessment and the liver was harvested and processed histologically. Result: Alcohol-induced liver injury treated with aqueous leaf extract of Garcinia kola demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in serum amino transaminases compared to control (P<0.05). The histological observations of liver sections further demonstrated a dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect of leaf extract of Garcinia kola consistent with the controls. Conclusion: Oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Garcinia kola showed hepatoprotective effects against alcohol-induced liver injury in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies to identify and isolate the hepatoprotective agent in aqueous leaf extract of Garcinia kola.