Protective Efficiency of Pterocarpus erinaceus Leaves Extract in Carbon-tetrachloride-induced Hepatic and Hematological Injuries in Rats

Aims: Chemical toxicity is one of the major leading causes of tissues injuries, which impair the tissue’s ability to maintain normal physiological functions. Pterocarpus erinaceus is a medicinal plant use as traditional remedy for the treatment of several disorders associated with tissues injuries. This study therefore aimed at investigating tissues protective efficiency of Pterocarpus erinaceus leaves extract in carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatic and hematological injuries in rats.

Materials and Methods: Leaves of Pterocarpus erinaceous after collection were air-dried and pulverized. It was extracted with methanol and the methanolic extracts were used. Acute toxicity and hepatoprotective studies against CCl4 toxicity were conducted. Rats were grouped into; Group 1: Normal control (liquid paraffin, vehicle 1ml.kg), Group 2: Negative control (received 1ml/kg CCl4), Group 3: Positive control (received 1ml/kg CCl4 +100ml/kg Silymarin), Group 4-6: Extract treated rats (received 1ml/kg CCl4 + varied doses of Extracts at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg body weight of rats). The treatment was done daily via oral means for 14 days.

Results: The results of the acute toxicity study showed Pterocarpus erinaceus extract safe with LD50 greater than 5000mg/kg body weight. This study reveals Pterocarpus erinaceus able to ameliorate CCl4 toxicity by minimizing damage to hepatic and hematological tissues. Histological study of the rats’ hepatic cells further unveils the protective ability of the plant extract against severity of CCl4-mediate hepatic architectural damage.

Conclusion: Pterocarpus erinaceus leaves possess components with tissue-protective properties hence the need to harness it for utilization.