The Histopathological Evaluation of the Hepatoprotective Activity of Stem Bark Extracts of Garcinia Kola on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Abstract

This study has evaluated histopathologically, the hepatoprotective activities of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of stem bark of Garcina kola on acetaminophen induced hepatic injury in rats. 24 albino rats weighing between 116 - 247g were divided into six groups (A-F) of four animals each. Animals in groups A - D were treated with the extracts with groups A and B receiving 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg body weight respectively of the aqueous extracts; also, group C and D animals received 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg body weight respectively of the methanolic extracts. All administration of extracts was by the oral route. After 7 days of extract administration, liver injury was induced through intraperitoneal administration of 750mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen. Animals in group E received acetaminophen only, whereas those in group F were placed on feed and water only. After 36 hours of acetaminophen administration and unabated administration of extracts in groups A - D, all the animals were sacrificed by ether anaesthesia, and the liver excised for histological studies. Result showed that stem bark extract of G. kola displayed a dose dependent hepatoprotection, with animals in group D (administered 50mg/kg methanolic extract) showing liver histology similar to those of untreated animals (group F). Histopathologic changes in group E animals included prominent necrosis, centrilobular necrosis and vacuolation of hepatocytes and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration indicative of hepatotoxicity. In conclusion therefore, stem bark extracts of Garcinia kola possess hepatoprotective property which can be exploited in the management of disease conditions in the liver