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Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1977) “a medicinal plant
is any plant which in one or more of its organ contains substances that can be
used for the synthesis of useful drugs”. The term herbal drug means the part(s)
of a plant used to produce medicine (e.g. leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, stems, etc). Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat various
ailments, including hepatic diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the
effect of the aqueous root extract of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis)
on the liver of Male Wistar albino rat. Twenty(20) Male Wistar Albino rats
weighing between 160g-200g were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 rats
each and acclimatized for two(2) weeks. Group 1 (control) received Grower
mash feed and tap water ad libitum; Group 2 received 100mg/kg body weight
of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous root extract; Group 3 received 500mg /kg
body weight of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous root extract; Group 4 1000mg/kg
body weight of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous root extract; Group 5 received
1500mg /kg body weight of Telfairia occidentalis root extract. Administration
of the extract was by orogastric gavage for 2 weeks. Animals were humanely
sacrificed using chloroform anaesthesia and blood samples were collected via
cardiac puncture. Hepatic function markers including liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), bilirubin, and serum protein (albumin and globulin) levels were assessed. The result showed no significant differences (P> 0.05) in the values of the
various parameters among the treatment groups compared to the control. In
conclusion, It can be deduced that the aqueous root extract of Telferia
occidentalis may not have a substantial effect on the liver function parameters
evaluated in Wistar Albino rats at the dosages tested. Further studies, including
histopathological examination and longer-term observations, may provide
additional insights into the effects of Telfairia occidentalis root extract on liver
health.
is any plant which in one or more of its organ contains substances that can be
used for the synthesis of useful drugs”. The term herbal drug means the part(s)
of a plant used to produce medicine (e.g. leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, stems, etc). Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat various
ailments, including hepatic diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the
effect of the aqueous root extract of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis)
on the liver of Male Wistar albino rat. Twenty(20) Male Wistar Albino rats
weighing between 160g-200g were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 rats
each and acclimatized for two(2) weeks. Group 1 (control) received Grower
mash feed and tap water ad libitum; Group 2 received 100mg/kg body weight
of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous root extract; Group 3 received 500mg /kg
body weight of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous root extract; Group 4 1000mg/kg
body weight of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous root extract; Group 5 received
1500mg /kg body weight of Telfairia occidentalis root extract. Administration
of the extract was by orogastric gavage for 2 weeks. Animals were humanely
sacrificed using chloroform anaesthesia and blood samples were collected via
cardiac puncture. Hepatic function markers including liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), bilirubin, and serum protein (albumin and globulin) levels were assessed. The result showed no significant differences (P> 0.05) in the values of the
various parameters among the treatment groups compared to the control. In
conclusion, It can be deduced that the aqueous root extract of Telferia
occidentalis may not have a substantial effect on the liver function parameters
evaluated in Wistar Albino rats at the dosages tested. Further studies, including
histopathological examination and longer-term observations, may provide
additional insights into the effects of Telfairia occidentalis root extract on liver
health.
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