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Abstract
Medicinal and food plants contain phytoconstiuents that can provide protection against oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to determine the hepatoprotective effects of Fadogia ancylantha on ethanol-induced liver damage. The rationale for doing this study was because of the increased deaths due to liver disorders and so the potential hepatoprotective effects of the F. ancylantha could alleviate the problem. Twenty male Wistar rats were selected into four groups (n=5) and were orally treated with, control (1 ml of distilled water), ethanol only (5 g/kg b.w), ethanol + Fadogia ancylantha (5 g/kg b.w and 5 ml/kg b.w respectively) and Fadogia ancylantha only (5 ml/kg b.w) for 8 weeks. Body weights, fasting glucose, blood cholesterol and organ weights were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 2 g/kg glucose) and insulin tolerance test (ITT; 0.75 U/kg i.p) were performed. Total plasma protein and liver glycogen were thereafter measured. The weights of rats in all treatment groups showed general increase. Cholesterol levels in the ethanol-treated group were decreased (P < 0.05). OGTT showed normal glucose tolerance in week 4, but in week 8 the ethanol-treated group showed an increase (P < 0.05) area under the curve. Fadogia ancylantha group showed increased plasma protein concentration (P < 0.05). All treatment groups had decreased liver glycogen content (P < 0.001). This study demonstrated that Fadogia ancylantha has potential hepatoprotective effects and may be effective in protecting against ethanol-induced liver damage.