Acute Toxicity, Polyphenolic Composition and Liver Protective Capabilities of the Methanol Leaf Extract of Alangium salvifolium (LIN. F) WANG (Alangiaceae)

Medicinal plants over the years have been explored for the prevention, management and treatment of diverse disease conditions. Different part of the plant Alangium salvifolium has been used in folklore medicine for the management and treatment of ulcer, microbial infection, free radical implicated disorders among others. The study aims to investigate the oral toxicity profile and the extent of liver protection from carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity. The Lorke’s oral acute toxicity, polyphenolic composition as well as the protective effect of the methanol extract on the liver enzyme markers (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine phosphatase (ALP), alanine transferase (ALT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated rats model, was evaluated using standard procedures. The results showed a marked reduction in the serum activities of AST, ALP, ALT, and MDA with an attendant increase in the levels of GSH, GPx and CAT when compared to the induction control animal group. The 221.38 mgGAE/g and 131.56 mgQE/g for the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents respectively could be responsible for the 62.70% free radical scavenging activity as well as the hepatoprotective effect of the plant extract reported. There was no mortality after 24 hr oral administration of the extract at the highest investigated concentration of 4 g/kg p.o and a further 14 days of observation. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that A. salvifolium can offer some degree of hepatic protection from chemicals-induced toxicity in experimental animals.