Effect of repeated administration of aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark on selected enzyme activities of rat liver

Abstract

The effect of repeated administration of aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark on selected enzyme activities of rat liver was investigated. The aqueous extract of the plant was administered to white albino rats daily at 24hr interval at a dosage level of 100mg/kg body weight after which the rats were sacrificed after receiving 1, 3 and 5 daily oral doses. Administration of the extract produced significant reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the liver. There were no significant change in the activities of the serum enzymes (p>0.05). There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activity of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the liver which was not accompanied by any significant change in the serum enzyme (P>0.05). However, there was no significant change in the activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) in the liver and serum (P>0.05). The results suggest inhibition of ALP and LDH by the plant extract while same extract resulted in induction of synthesis of GPT. The aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark has brought about alterations in the concentration of the enzymes and this may affect the functions of these enzymes.

Key words: Aqueous extract, Enantia chloranta, liver enzymes

Biokemistri Vol.17(1) 2005: 13-18