Protective Potential of Anacardium occidentale Leaves against Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity

Abstract

This study investigates the protective effects of the ethanolic extract of Anacardium occidentale leaves on paracetamol induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty five (25) female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each. The groups were designated as follows; A, B, C, D and E. Group A served as the normal control, group B served as the negative control and received 1000 mg/kg of paracetamol only, group C received 1000 mg/kg of paracetamol for three days then treated with 250 mg/kg of A. occidentale extract, group D received 1000 mg/kg of paracetamol for three days then treated with 500 mg/kg of A. occidentale extract and group E received 1000 mg/kg of paracetamol concurrently with 500 mg/kg of the extract for 4 weeks respectively. After the last day of administration, the rats were anaesthetized using ketamine and the liver tissues were harvested for histopathological examination. The result revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in body weight of animals in the tested groups compared to the control after paracetamol administration. The histopathological findings revealed severe focal aggregation of inflammatory cells (SFAIC), severe hepatocellular necrosis in the negative control and showed regeneration of hepatic tissues, which was significant in the group that received high doses of the extract (500 mg/kg). It can be deduced that the ethanolic extract of A. occidentale has protective effect against liver toxicity and should be recommended as an alternative traditional treatment.