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Abstract
The liver is crucial for metabolism, detoxification, and homeostasis, making its functional status vital for physiological health. This study investigated the liver function status of Wistar rats after they were administered an extract of Emilia praetermissa leaf, a medicinal plant traditionally used for its antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular activity. Nine Wistar rats were divided into control and experimental groups, with the latter receiving varying doses of the Emilia praetermissa leaf extract over a defined period. Liver function markers, specifically total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and bilirubin levels (including total bilirubin (T.BIL) and direct bilirubin (D.BIL)) were assessed to evaluate liver functionality. The toxicity of the leaf extract was also studied in the rats, and no toxicity was observed. The results showed dose-related changes in liver function parameters of rats treated with Emilia praetermissa local gin and aqueous extracts. Total protein and albumin levels were highest in Group 2 and Group 4 respectively, while ALT and AST levels were markedly elevated in Group 2, suggesting possible liver stress. Bilirubin levels showed mild increases in Groups 4 and 7, and ALP activity peaked in Group 6. Overall, the variations indicate that the treatments caused biochemical alterations in liver function, suggesting potential hepatic effects that warrant further investigation. These findings offer insight into the potential therapeutic or toxicological effects of Emilia praetermissa on liver health, contributing to its pharmacological evaluation for safe medicinal use.
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