Effect of partially purified sub-fractions of Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract on carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the hepatoprotective effect of partially purified fractions from Pterocarpus mildbraedii extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) intoxicated rats. METHODS: The methanol extract of P. mildbraedii was subjected to solvent partitioning using n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and water. Separation of fractions with proven antioxidant activity was achieved by chromatographic techniques. Acute toxicity and hepatoprotective studies of the methanol sub-fraction 6 (Me 6), methanol sub-fraction 7 (Me 7) and methanol sub-fraction 8 (Me 8) from P. mildbraedii extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) intoxicated Wister rats. RESULTS: Intoxication of rats with CCl(4) resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increase in the activities of aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), level of malondialdehyde (MDA) while glutathione (GSH) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were decreased. Administration of Me6, Me7 and Me8 sub-fractions of P. mildbraedii caused a significant reduction (p > 0.05) in the activities of the liver enzymes, MDA level, total and direct bilirubin in dose-dependent manner. There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in GSH concentration, SOD, CAT, and Gpx activities in the treated groups. The subfractions also restored the damaged hepatic-architecture in the treated groups. CONCLUSION: Therefore, Me6, Me7 and Me8 leaf sub-fractions of P. mildbraedii extract have hepatoprotective effect. Therefore, this vegetable can further be exploited as a source of drug/supplement development in the prevention and treatment of liver damage.