Effects of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina on enzymes associated with liver function in experimental rabbits

Vernonia amygdalina Delile has been used ethnomedicinally in the Southern Nigeria and in most parts of Africa in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus, Malaria and Typhoid. It is also eaten as vegetable in most local delicacies in these parts. Most of these ethnomedicinal uses have been validated, without considering toxicity aspects. Thus the effects of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina Delile on enzymes associated with liver function in experimental rabbits were studied. The animals were divided into three groups viz: I, II, and III. Group I was the control, groups II and III were the study groups. Each group comprised two male and two female rabbits. Groups II and III were administered with 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses of the extract respectively. Enzyme assay in study groups II and III, alanine aminotransferase showed an increased activity from 39.75 IU/L – 50.00 IU/L for males and 37.75 IU/L- 50.00 IU/L for females as against 1.00 IU/L and 9.00 IU/L seen in the control males and females respectively. The liver damage is further seen as suggested by increased bilurubin levels ranging from 35.75µmol/L to 48.10µmol/L in males as against 12.95µmol/L of control males and 49.95µmol/L to 57.08µmol/L in females compared to 12.03µmol/L of control females. An increase in relative liver weights was seen in groups II and III ranging from 0.68% to 1.60% in males and 0.56% to 0.48% in females compared to 0.15% and 0.25% in male and female control rats, indicating no disease condition. Reduction in spleen weights was observed as seen in the decreased spleen mean relative weights of 4.47 × 10 – 4 Kg and 6.02 × 10 – 4 Kg in study groups 1 and 2 respectively as against 8.04 × 10 – 4 Kg in the control. Vernonia amygdalina Delile despite its constant use in local delicacies and ethnomedicines has shown some indication of toxicity. The benefits of its uses should be weighed against its toxicity.