Background: Little research effort is directed towards addressing the controversies surrounding the effects on caffeine on humans. Its increasing consumption and industrial application is why researches need to be geared up in this area. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Myristica fragrans following concomitant oral administration of caffeine using histopathological, histochemical and biochemical approaches Methods: A total of twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were utilized. The rats were randomly assigned into five groups A-E (n=5). Group A (control) was administered 2mL/kg distilled water as placebo, group B (caffeine, 40mg/kg), group C (Myristica fragrans only (200mg/kg)), group D (caffeine (40mg/kg) and Myristica fragrans (100mg/kg)), while group E (caffeine at 40mg/kg and Myristica fragrans at 200mg/kg). The rats were orally gavaged caffeine and Myristica fragrans for 21 days period Results: The caffeine only group displayed significantly reduced body weight change (p<0.05) relative to the control while group C body weight significantly increased (p<0.05). Serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases markedly reduced (p<0.05) in the Myristica fragrans only and caffeine co-treated with Myristica fragrans groups. Histological findings revealed a normal histomorphological appearance of the liver in the control and Myristica fragrans-only group. The caffeine-only group showed necrotic changes in the hepatocyte, focal areas of hepatic necrosis were also occupied by leucocytic cells infiltration and the congestion of the central vein is evident. Caffeine and Myristica fragrans co-treated groups (100mg/kg and 200mg/kg) showed a near to normal histomorphological appearance Conclusion: Conclusively, concomitant administration of Myristica fragrans with caffeine protected the liver from caffeine-induced hepatic histological and biochemical alterations

Keywords: Histopathological; Caffeine; Myristica fragrans; Liver; Hepatoprotective