Journal of Disease and Global Health

Background to the Study: Malabar Spinach (Amunututu in Yoruba) - Basella alba, is a common leafy vegetable that contains phytochemicals such as tannin, saponin, alkaloid, terpenoid, flavonoid, glycoside and phenolic compounds in addition to vitamins and minerals.

Aim and Objective: This study was designed to determine the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract Malabar Spinach in rabbits overdosed with paracetamol.

Materials and Methods: Thirty rabbits weighing 0.7-1.4 Kg classified into five experimental groups of 5 rabbits each labeled A, B, C, D, E and F were studied. The extract was prepared using sterile distilled water and ethanol. Each of the extract was administered into some rabbits and was used to treat paracetamol hepatotoxicity prophylactically. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the rabbits by administering 1,500 mg of paracetamol and left for 5 days. Estimation of plasma AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), TBA (Total Bile acids) and LDH (Lactate-Dehydrogenase) was carried out biochemically by spectrophotometry.

Results: The result obtained  showed a significantly higher mean plasma value of AST,ALT, TBA and LDH in rabbits fed with normal meal, 1,500 mg of paracetamol and water than the control rabbits (p<0.05) and rabbits fed with normal meal, 400 mg/Kg of ethanolic extract and water  for seven days followed by the administration of 1,500 mg paracetamol and  also than the rabbits fed with normal meal, 400 mg/Kg of aqueous extract and water  for seven days followed by the administration of 1,500 mg paracetamol showed lower AST, ALT, TBA and LDH values than paracetamol alone-treated rabbits (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The extract of Basella alba was found to have possible hepatoprotective effect in rabbits overdosed with paracetamol.