Preliminary protective evaluation of stem bark ethanolic extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum against n-acetyl-para-aminophenol (apap)-induced liver damage in male Wistar rats

The toxicity of paracetamol (APAP) overdose is one of the leading causes of liver injury that finally may lead to drug-induced acute liver failure. Global attention has been shifted towards the use of herbal plants as an alternative use to modern or pharmaceutical drugs, especially in rural communities. This study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum stem bark on N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP)-induced liver damage in male Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (n=5) groups (A-F). Control (group A), 1000mg/kg of APAP only (group B), 700mg/kg of Stem bark of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SBSJ) only (group C), 1000mg/kg of APAP + 700mg/kg of SBSJ (group D), 1000mg/kg of APAP + 350mg/kg of SBSJ (group E), 1000mg/kg of APAP for 14 days + 700mg/kg of SBSJ for the next 7 days. The administration was done via oral gavage daily for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under mild anaesthesia and their liver was carefully harvested. Histological examination of the liver was done using Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. APAP causes significant histopathological damages on the histoarchitecture of the liver tissue with tissue tears, hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis and fibrosis while significant regenerative changes similar to control were observed following administration of stem bark of Sphenocentrum jollyanum. The result suggests that the stem bark of Sphenocentrum jollyanum has beneficial effects on APAP-damaged live