ABSTRACT

Arachis hypogaea is a leguminous crop that is grown locally in Nigeria. The seeds have been known to have numerous health benefits, but little is known of its role in liver disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Arachis hypogaea on carbon tetrachloride –induced liver damage in the adult Wistar rat. Thirty (30) adult Wistar rats were used for this research and were divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats. Group A served as control. Group B was given Olive oil only. Group C was given 500mg/kg of Aqueous extract of Arachis hypogaea orally for thirty (30) days. Group D was given CCL4 and olive oil (1:1, 1.5ml/kg) on the first and thirtieth day. Group E was given CCL4 and Olive oil (1:1, 1.5ml/kg) and treated with 250mg/Kg of Aqueous extract of Arachis hypogaea for thirty (30) days. Group F was given CCL4 and olive oil (1:1, 1.5ml/kg) on the first and thirtieth day and treated with 500mg/Kg of Aqueous extract of Arachis hypogaea for 30 days. The weight of the animals was measured and the animals sacrificed. The liver was taken for histopathological examination and liver function test. The data was analyzed using version 23 of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Histological findings revealed that the CCl4 given to the adult wistar rats induced severe macrovesicular steatosis which is an inflammatory condition in the liver caused by the deposition of fat in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Treatment with graded doses (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively) of Arachis hypogaea resolved the steatosis to an appreciable degree. Alanine phosphatase showed significant increases with 500mg/kg of groundnut only, CCl4 with 250mg/kg groundnut, CCl4 with 500mg/kg groundnut and CCL4 only. Alanine transferase showed significant decreases in 500mg/kg of groundnut, CCl4 with 250mg/kg of groundnut, CCl4 with 500mg/kg groundnut, CCL4 only compared with control (P<0.05, respectively). Aspartate transferase showed significant decreases in 500mg/kg of groundnut, CCl4 with 250mg/kg groundnut, CCl4 with 500mg/kg groundnut and a significant increase in CCL4 only treated rats compared with control (P<0.05, respectively). The present study revealed that Arachis hypogaea had an ameliorative effect on CCl4 induced liver damage. Thereafter, recommendations were given and suggestions for further studies made.