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ABSTRACT
Globally, liver problems are a major cause for concern. A medicinal plant called Phyllanthus amarus has historically been used to treat various liver conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts of Phyllanthus amarus leaves on liver function status in rats induced with carbon tetrachloride. Adult male Wistar albino rats (n=20) weighing 150-200g were used for this study. The rats were assigned to 5 groups; normal control group, CCl4 control group, silymarin, 200mg/kg body weight extract and 400mg/kg body weight extract. Carbon tetrachloride (3ml/kg bwt in olive oil) was used to induce liver injury in the rats. The CCl4 induced rats were then treated with either the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin (100mg/kg bwt) or the extract at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg bwt respectively, leaving the CCl4 group untreated. Indices of liver function were measured in rat plasma. The results showed the administration of CCl4 markedly raised the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin, indicating liver damage. However treatment with the plant extract significantly reduced the above liver function parameters, but increased albumin concentration (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the plant extract can ameliorate liver injury caused by CCl4.
