Alterations in Hepatic Functions in Administration of Pennisetum puerperium to Wistar Rats

Part of its metabolic function, the liver; which is a vital organ of all vertebrates is exposed to numerous toxins that may alter its physiologic functions. This functional tendency is often implicated via specific markers whose levels can be assayed to ascertain the functional capacity of the organ. Current study examined the changes in levels of liver enzymes following administration of Pennisetum puerperium (P. puparium) aqueous leaf extract to albino wistar rats. Twenty (20) adult wistar rats weighing between 130 g – 150 g were used. The rats were grouped into four (4) of five rats each. Group I received normal rat feed, groups II to IV received 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous P. puparium leaf extract respectively for a period of After the period of administration of the extract, rats were euthanized and blood samples for biochemical assay of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities. The relative body and liver weights were also determined. Findings of the research study showed that the administration of doses of the plant extract (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight) to animals significantly produced an increased (p <0.05) serum levels of liver enzyme markers (AST, ALT and ALP) when compared with the control group. There was also a significantly increased relative body and liver weights following administration of all doses of the plant extract to animals when compared with the control group. It can be concluded that P. puparium aqueous extract may possess deleterious effects on the hepatic functions of the animals at the various doses of the plant extract tested in this present study.