Hepatoprotective effect of the methanol extract of Luffa cylindrica fruit on carbon-tetrachloride induced chronic liver  injury

Ifeoluwa T. Oyeyemi; Oluwabukola O. Akanni; Oluwatosin A. Adaramoye; Adekunle  A. Bakare

doi:10.14232/abs.2022.2.150-155

Authors

Ifeoluwa T. Oyeyemi University of Medical Sciences, Ondo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2374-506X
Oluwabukola O. Akanni University of Ibadan
Oluwatosin A. Adaramoye University of Ibadan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9960-6763
Adekunle A. Bakare University of Ibadan , Department of Zoology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9829-1587

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2022.2.150-155

Keywords:

antioxidant enzymes, carbon tetrachloride, hepatotoxicity, Luffa cylindrica

Abstract

Luffa cylindrica (Linn) commonly called sponge gourds has both medicinal and nutritional properties. It is used traditionally for the management of liver diseases. Herein, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of the crude methanol extract of L. cylindrica fruit in rats chronically exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Male rats were exposed to CCl₄ twice a week for six weeks and the extract was administered five times a week for six weeks. Markers of liver toxicity, antioxidant enzymes and liver peroxidation were evaluated and histological analysis of the liver was carried out. Significant reduction in serum markers (ALT, AST and ALP), increase in antioxidant enzyme and reduction in lipid peroxidation compared to CCl₄ were observed in rats exposed to both CCl₄ and the extract. CCl₄-induced liver lesions were ameliorated by the extract. These show the protective effect of the methanol extract of L. cylindrica on CCl₄-induced chronic liver injury in rats.