Abstract

Synsepalum dulcificum is believed to have medicinal and nutritional potentials. The objective of this study was to determine the beneficial effects of the methanol extract of the plant on some biochemical parameters such as liver function tests (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and globulin), blood glucose levels and histology of the liver in albino rats. In this study, rats were orally administered (gavage) methanol extracts of S. dulcificum pulp at doses of 0 (as normal group), 100 mg/kg (Group 2), 200 mg/kg (Group 3) and 500 mg/kg (Group 4) body weight/day for 14 and 28 days. Acute toxicity study showed that the methanol extract is not toxic to mice up to 5000 mg/kg. From the results, the 100 mg/kg doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced serum levels of bilirubin, ALT and glucose after the 14-day study when compared with the 28-day study. However, no significant difference (p<0.05) was observed across the groups in their serum ALP, AST, albumin and globulin levels on the 14th day when compared with the 28th day. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the serum protein concentration in the 500 mg/kg test group while glucose concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the 100 and 500 mg/kg test group after the 14 day study when compared with the 28 day study. Histopathological examination shows normal liver architecture across the groups at 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg.

Key words: Synsepalum dulcificum, methanol extract, biochemical parameters, histology, rats.