The Effect of Ethanol Extract of Acalypha wilkesiana on the Oxidative Stress Indices of Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats

Objective: The effect of A. wilkesiana on the oxidative stress indices/biomarkers of wistar albino rats with paracetamol induced hepatic injury was investigated in this work.

Study Design: Animal experimental study.

Place of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods: Fifty-four wistar albino rats weighing 150-200 g were randomly allotted into six experimental groups of nine rats each: (Group 1) normal control, (Group 2) positive control, treated with only paracetamol (PARA), (Group 3) treated with paracetamol (PARA) and 100 mg per kg body weight of A. wilkesiana (A.W) ethanol extract, (Group 4) treated with paracetamol and 200 mg per kg body weight of A. wilkesiana (A.W) ethanol extract, (Group 5) treated with paracetamol and 300 mg per kg body weight of the A. wilkesiana ethanol extract while group 6 animals were treated with paracetamol and 25 mg per kg body weight of standard drug silymarin. The experiment lasted for 21 days. The blood samples were collected at 7 days interval for analyses of oxidative stress biomarkers.

Results: Paracetamol induction resulted in the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reduced the plasma glutathione levels, catalase activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Treatment with different doses of the ethanol extract of A. wilkesiana (A.W) leaves increased the plasma level of glutathione, catalase activity, and the SOD activity while the malondialdehyde level was reduced.

Conclusion: The study revealed that treatement with ethanol extract of A. wilkesiana (A.W) leaves may have therapeutic effect against paracetamol induced oxidative stress.