Acetaminophen Induced Hepatic Toxicity: Protective Role of Ageratum conyzoides

Abstract

The preventive potentials of ethanol leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides (ACE) against acute acetaminophen and caffeinated acetaminophen over dose in Wister rats were investigated. Thirty Wister rats of both sexes were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats per group. There were two control groups. Animals in control group 1 were administered 600 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen intraperitoneally (ip) whereas, animals in control group 2 in addition to acetaminophen were administered 100 mg/kg body weight of caffeine by oral gavage. Experimental groups 3 and 4 were treated with acetaminophen as in group 1 but in addition received 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively of ACE by oral gavage, The experimental groups 5 and 6 were treated as in control group 2 and in addition received 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively of ACE. The treatment lasted 14 days. Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALP) levels (U/L) significantly increased (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) in group 2 than group 1 but dropped marginally in groups 3 and 4. Comparing group 2 with group 5, ALT, AST and Akaline Phospotase (ALP) (U/L) activities reduced significantly (p<0.01) in group 5 treated with 250 mg/kg of ACE. Similar significant reductions were observed in group 6 treated with 500 mg/kg of ACE, ALT activity (p<0.01), AST and ALP activities (p<0.001). Total serum protein level (g/100mL) was marginally increased in group 3 (acetaminophen plus 250 mg/kg ACE) than group 1 (acetaminophen only). Total serum protein was however increased significantly (p<0.01) in group 5 (acetaminophen plus caffeine plus 250 mg/kg ACE) and (p<0.05) group 6 (acetaminophen plus caffeine plus 500 mg/kg ACE) more than group 2 (acetaminophen plus caffeine). It is concluded from these findings that ACE offered protection against acetaminophen and caffeinated acetaminophen toxicity in rats.