Author(s):

Chidi Ijeoma Nosiri, Chukwuma Anyanwu, Iheanacho Ugorji Eke, Emeka Obioha and Stephany Amarachi Ezenwere

Abstract: This study evaluated the liver and kidney integrity of ethanolic seed extract of Walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) on paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity via its reactive intermediate metabolite N-acetyl-1,4-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) in albino rats. PCM is an over the counter drug and commonly abused. Overdose of PCM causes toxic effect to the liver and other tissues as endogenous enzymes will leak out to show its toxicity. The rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. (group one received n-saline, group 2: PCM alone, group 3: PCM + 250mg/kg extract, group 4: PCM + 500mg/kg extract and group 5: PCM + 750mg/kg extract. All the animals were starved for 24hrs before the administration of PCM to groups 2 - 5. After 48hrs, Gps 3 - 5 were given 250, 500 and 750mg/kg of TC extract respectively for 7 days and then the animals were sacrificed. The levels of the serum transaminase enzymes were used to assess the integrity of the liver. The oral treatment of rats with different doses of the extract showed significant (P≤ 0.05) hepatoprotective activity against NAPQI induced hepatotoxicity by decreasing the activities of transaminases. The HDL levels of the TC extract revealed an increase from the PCM induced level of 43.46±0.97 - 49.44±0.68mg/dl. The TC extracts also reduced the serum levels (mg/dl) of Urea and Cr ^- from 25.66±0.31 - 20.32±0.37 and 0.68±0.02 - 0.59±0.01 respectively. These findings suggest that the walnut seed may contain cytoprotective and antihepatotoxic properties.

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