International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review

Aim: To investigate the aqueous leaf extract of Carica papaya (pawpaw) and Gongronema latifolium (utazi) in the treatment of Wistar rats induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-liver damage so as to ascertain the effect of both extracts on selected biochemical parameters.

Study Design: Twenty-five (25) wistar rats with mean weight of 125g were used for the study, grouped into 5 of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as the normal control which was given the standard feed and water ad libitum; group 2 served as the test control, was induced with CCl₄ intraperitoneally but untreated with the extracts; while groups 3 to 5 were induced with CCl₄, and treated daily intraperitoneally with the leaf extracts with concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% for 14 days after 7 days of acclimatization.

Place and Duration of Study: The animal house of the Biochemistry Department, University of Port Harcourt; and Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), between March and August 2019.

Methodology: After 14 days of treatment with both extracts in Groups 3-5, the 25 animals were sacrificed upon which their blood and a liver sample per group were taken for biochemical analysis. Biochemical tests such as Glucose, Alanine and Aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Triacylglycerol (TAG), Cholesterol (CHOL), High and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C) were assayed using Randox and Agappe kits, and autoanalysers.

Results: Upon CCl₄ induction, a significant increase in the parameters levels (P<0.05) was shown while following the extracts administration, a significant decrease (P>0.05) in such levels except for HDL was shown.

Conclusion: The management of liver damage by the aqueous leaf extract of both plants was effective with increased concentration as the ameliorative effect was visible.