African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2285

Full Length Research Paper

Hepatocurative effect of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on some antioxidants and haematological indices of acetaminophen-challenged Wistar albino rats

Parker E. Joshua
  • Parker E. Joshua
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
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Chuma S. Eze
  • Chuma S. Eze
  • Department of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
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Chimere Y. Ukegbu
  • Chimere Y. Ukegbu
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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Joshua O. Okafor
  • Joshua O. Okafor
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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Prisca C. Okoli
  • Prisca C. Okoli
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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Chinelo C. Nkwocha
  • Chinelo C. Nkwocha
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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Florence O. Nduka
  • Florence O. Nduka
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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Amaechi L. Ogara
  • Amaechi L. Ogara
  • Department of Degree Programme in Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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Chibuike S. Ubani
  • Chibuike S. Ubani
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 10 January 2017
  •  Accepted: 02 February 2017
  •  Published: 29 May 2017

Abstract

Hibiscus sabdariffa is among the medicinal plants which have been shown to possess several medicinal properties. The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and haematological properties of the aqueous leaf extract of H. sabdariffa on acetaminophen-challenged liver using rat model. Twenty (20) Wistar albino rats were used for this study and were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 rats were the normal control; group 2 (positive control) rats were administered acetaminophen only, at a dose of 750 mg/kg b.w. ip. Group 3 rats were administered mid dose (400 mg/kg b.w) of the extract after acetaminophen-induction while group 4 rats received high dose (600 mg/kg b.w) of the extract after acetaminophen-induction. Group 2 rats showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of the enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and vitamin C concentrations when compared with group 1 rats. However treatment with the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the activities of the enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and vitamin C concentrations when compared with group 2 animals. More so, group 2 rats treated with acetaminophen only, showed significant increase (p<0.05) in white blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocytes counts when compared with the group 1 rats. Conversely, a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration of the group 2 rats when compare with the group 1 rats. Treatment with the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa caused a dose-dependent significant increase (p<0.05) in the pack cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration of the treatment groups (groups 3 and 4) when compared with the group 2 rats. Conclusively, the results of this study suggest that H. sabdariffa possess antioxidant properties and could be potent in boasting the blood level in a disease state. 

Key words: Hibiscus sabdariffa, antioxidant, haematological properties, acetaminophen-challenged, liver.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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