ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIALS OF CRUDE EXTRACT AND CURCUMINOIDS FRACTION OF TURMERIC RHIZOMES IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN WISTAR RATS.

Abstract

Liver diseases are issues of great concern worldwide. Unfortunately, standard or synthetic drugs used in liver disease therapy are insufficient and have severe side effects, requiring the use of herbal preparations. The present study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials of crude methanol extract of C. longa rhizome and its Curcuminoids fraction in Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in Wistar rats. Twenty-seven (27) adult Wistar rats of either sex were randomized into 9 groups of 3 animals each. Animals in groups 1 and 3 orally received 1 ml of distilled water and 100mg/kgbw of standard drug (Silymarin), respectively and Two (2) ml of CCl4 was administered intraperitonially to group 2. Animals in groups 4, 5, and 6 were orally administered doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg b.w of C. longa crude extract, respectively, while groups 7,8 and 9 received 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg b.w doses of Curcuminoids fraction respectively for 7 days. CCl4 was administered 6 hours after the last treatments with the crude extract and Curcuminoids fraction of C. longa to induce liver damage in the Wistar rats. Phytochemical, acute toxicity, antioxidant and hepatoprotective monitoring enzymes were evaluated using standard procedures. The liver of the rats was subjected to histopathological studies. Phytochemical screening of the extract shows the presence of Alkaloids (97.24±0.64 mg/g), Saponins (1742.63±1.94 mg/g), Phenols (213.41±1.36 mg/g), Flavonoids (97.24±0.64 mg/g) and Tannins (7.01±0.23 mg/g). The crude methanol extract had LD50 value >5000 mg/kg bodyweight. The results obtained showed that the crude extract and curcuminoids fraction of C. longa significantly improved Serum Aspartate Transferase (AST) (63.00±9.00 and 48.60±9.00 U/l), Alanine Transferase (ALT) (25.38±2.82 and 19.74±6.58 U/l), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) (233.75±41.25 and 178.75±13.75 U/l), Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) (1.88±0.15 and 2.51±0.92 U/l), Catalase (CAT) (3.99±0.34 and 5.22±1.99 U/l) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) (0.08±0.05 and 1.16±0.00 ug/protein) activity respectively compared to the non-treated group. Protein (66.50±5.70 and 71.25±6.65 U/l) and albumin (3.23±0.80 and 4.00±0.67 mg/dl) for the crude and Curcuminoids fraction respectively were significantly higher compared to the non-treated group. Histopathological studies demonstrated hepatoprotective potentials of C. longa crude extract and Curcuminoids fraction against CCl4 -induced liver damage. From the results of this study, it may be concluded that crude methanol extract and Curcuminoids fraction of C. longa rhizome, possess potent antioxidant and Hepatoprotective activity.