Evaluation of in vitro antioxidants activities, hepatoprotective and haematological effects of ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark (AVSB) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rats

Anthocleista vogelii stem bark extract (AVSB) is used as a hepatoprotective protective and blood-boosting agent locally without any scientific evidence. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidants activity, hepatoprotective and haematological effects of ethanol extract of AVSB on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rats. Thirty rats distributed into 5 groups (n = 6) were used. Group 1 was the normal control rats without CCl4 induction, group 2 was the CCl4 control (CCl4 induced untreated rats) while groups 3 - 6 were CCl4 induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg/day of silymarin, 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg/day of AVSB respectively for 14 days. The results indicated high levels of total phenols, flavonoid, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene in the AVSB. The AVSB exhibited a dose-dependent increase in ferric reducing antioxidant power, DPPH and nitric oxide radicals scavenging activities similar to vitamin C, rutin and curcumin respectively. The CCl4 induction significantly (P<0.05) elevated total bilirubin concentrations, serum ALT, AST and ALP activities and significantly (P<0.05) decreased PCV, RBC, WBC, platelet counts, and Hb, total protein and albumin concentrations and caused liver necrosis in the untreated rats relative to the normal control. Treatment with AVSB significantly reversed the altered serum ALT, AST and ALP activities, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and Hb concentrations including haematological indices and liver histomorphology to normal compared with the CCl4 control. The findings of this study indicated that the AVSB is rich in antioxidant components, in vitro antioxidant activity, and possesses hepatoprotective and improves haematological indices