Effect of Cucurbita maxima Leaf Extract on Acetaminophen-induced Toxicity in Liver
Function and Histoarchitecture in Adult Wistar Rats
Nwanama Emmanuel Kenechulwu1*, Ibenyenwa John Chinaza2 and Mbang Joshua Egbe3
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Edo State University, Edo State, Nigeria
2Department of Public Health, Peace Land College of Health Sciences and
Technology, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
3Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Nwanama Emmanuel Kenechulwu, Department of
Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Edo State University, Edo State, Nigeria.
Received: September 05, 2023; Published: November 07, 2023
Abstract
Context: Cucurbita maxima (Pumpkin) leaf is rich in carotenoid and flavonoid that are believed to perform protective effects. In this study, the effects of Cucurbita maxima extract are investigated in the treatment of Wistar rat liver injury induced by acetaminophen (paracetamol).
Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were divided into five groups (n = 4). Normal control group; received 1ml of normal saline, negative control; paracetamol (500mg/kg) for fourteen days, experimental groups; paracetamol (500mg/kg/day) and Cucurbita maxima extract (25, 50 and 75mg/kg/day) 7 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, toxicity was measured histopathological by light microscopy and biochemically by checking levels of liver functions.
Results: The negative control group had increased level of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase and hepatocellular inflammation. When compared to the negative control, the Cucurbita maxima treatment decreased the serum levels of both aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase. Additionally, hepatic tissues from our study showed that Cucurbita maxima treatment reduced liver damage caused by oxidative stress, which in turn activated autophagy.
Conclusions: Our research demonstrates that Cucurbita maxima has the potential to be a medicinal agent by protecting liver tissue from acetaminophen-induced toxicity.
Keywords: Cucurbita maxima; Hepatic-Disorder; Histoarchitecture; Paracetamol
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