Purpose:
In this study, the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction
of the extract of Morinda morindoides (Baker)
Milne-Redhead (Rubiaceae) on the tissue and metabolic
integrity of rabbit liver was evaluated.¶
Methods:
¶Thirty
rabbits (divided equally between male and female) were
randomly distributed into five (5) groups of six (6)
rabbits each. ¶These
animals received, by intraperitoneal injection, twice a
week the ethyl acetate fraction (F1) of the
hydroalcohol extract of Morinda morindoides in doses
ranging from 25 to 100 µg/kg body weight for Groups 2
(Gp2) to 5 (Gp5) while Group 1 (Gp1) and control,
received 1 ml of MacEwen physiological fluid. Blood
sampling was carried out to evaluate various parameters:
alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),
total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides,
glucose and total proteins ¶
Results:
Analysis of the¶
parameters following administration of the extract
fraction showed slight increases in AST and ALT
activities as well as the concentrations of total
cholesterol and glucose, compared to their initial
values. On the other hand, protein, glyceride, total
cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol
levels as well as the activities of ALP, γGT and the LDH
did not change significantly (p >0.05).
¶Nevertheless, the
changes observed during the study were within the limits
of the normal values for these various parameters in
rabbit.¶
Conclusion:
¶These
results revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction (F1) of
the hydroalchol extract of Morinda morindoïdes, when
used in the dose range evaluated in this study, may be
well tolerated by the liver.¶
Keywords:
Hepatic tolerance, Morinda morindoides, Serum
biochemical parameters.
