Aqueous Extract of Dennettia Tripetala (Pepperfruit) Protects the Liver and Kidney against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Damage in Rats

Abstract

Evidence has shown that Carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) is metabolized in the liver into a highly reactive trichloromethyl radical that can induce damage to the liver. Previous studies have shown that Dennettia tripetala possesses remarkable in vitro antioxidant properties. In this study, we tested the ability of aqueous extract of D. tripetala fruit to protect the liver and kidney of rats from CCl 4 -induced damage. Thirty female albino rats of the Wistar strain were used for the study. They were sorted into six groups of five rats each. Group A served as control and these rats were not given any treatment, whereas groups B to D were given D. tripetala at a daily oral dose of
250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight respectively, for 14 days prior to CCl 4 administration. Animals in group E were given the highest dose (1000mg/kg body weight) of the extract for 14 days without CCl 4 while their group F counterparts received only CCl 4 on day 14. Where applicable, animals received 3ml/kg body weight of a 1:1 (CCl 4 : olive oil) preparation. The results obtained showed that administration of CCl 4 resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activities of plasma ALT, ALP and GGT. Hepatic steatosis which manifested as markedly increased hepatic triglyceride levels, also accompanied carbon tetrachloride toxicity in this study. These hepatic lesions and the observed mild distortion in renal function were significantly prevented by pre-treatment with aqueous extract of D. tripetala. The study suggests that aqueous extract of D. tripetala fruits holds some promise in the prevention ofcarbon tetrachloride-induced liver and kidney damage.