Hepatoprotective effect of methanol fruit pulp extract of Musa paradisiaca on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats

CONTEXT: Musa paradisiaca (Banana) fruit pulp has been used in folk medicine to treat various kinds of ailments, such as dysentery, diarrhea, bronchitis, ulcer, fevers, and hemorrhages in different parts of the globe, including Nigeria, Western Africa. AIM: This study was designed to histologically and biochemically assess the protective effect of methanol fruit pulp extract of M. paradisiaca (MFMP) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into six groups (I–VI; n = 4). Group I (control) was administered distilled H2O (2 ml/kg), whereas Groups II, III, and IV were administered MFMP (500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 1500 mg/kg, respectively) and Group V administered Silymarin (100 mg/kg), as the reference drug, for a period of 14 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by the administration of CCl4(1 ml, 1:1 solution: olive oil). On the 15th day, Groups II–VI were administered single dose of CCl4. All administrations were through the oral route. After 12 h of CCl4administration, rats were euthanized and liver organs harvested for routine (H and E) histological tissue processing and blood samples collected for biochemical analysis of serum liver enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase). RESULTS: MFMP-treatment revealed remarkable histoarchitectural preservation of the liver parenchyma against CCl4-induced liver damage and decreased (P < 0.05) serum liver enzyme levels elevated by CCl4. Hepatoprotective activity was comparable with that of the reference drug, Silymarin. CONCLUSION: Result suggests that MFMP possesses hepatoprotective potentials against chemically-induced acute hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Hepatoprotective potential of MFMP is possible as a result of its antioxidant properties.