International Research Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Jathropha interrigima on hepatic function of male Albino Wistar rats exposed to lead.

Study Design: The study is an experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between March 2020 and December 2020.

Methodology: A total of 30 male Albino Wistar rats that weighed between 140-210g were used for this study. This study was done in three phases: Acute, Sub-chronic and Chronic phases and Jathropha interrigima extract was given to the rats as a prophylaxis (PRE) within the three phases and as a therapeutic (POST) substance within the three phases. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase for both PRE and POST by cardiac puncture and separated into microvials tubes for the spectrophotometric evaluation of total protein, albumin, Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using a Selectra Pro-S automated chemistry analyzer. Liver tissues were also harvested for histological studies using haematoxilin stain. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0 and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The results showed that for the Acute Phase, the rats exposed to Lead (Treatment Group) given the Jathropha extract prophylactically(PRE) had mean Total protein level(40 ± 4.00g/l) which was significantly lower than the positive control (64.0 ± 0.01g/l) and the Negative control(66.0 ± 2.80g/l); Mean AST level(109.7±13.80iu/l) was significantly lower than the Positive control ( 124.0±2.80iu/l) and the Negative control(154.0 ±2.80iu/l) whereas for those given the Jathropha extract therapeutically (POST) had mean Albumin level (33.3 ± 1.53g/l) which was significantly lower than the negative control (37.0 ± 6.83). In the Sub-chronic phase, Rats in the PRE had Total Protein in TG (49.7 ± 1.53) was significantly lower than the NC and PC; AST( 82.7±4.04iu/l) and ALT( 49.0 ± 3.61) in the TG were significantly higher than in the PC and NC whereas those in POST had mean Total protein level( 66.0 ± 1.73)and Mean Albumin level( 34.0± 1.00)which were significantly higher than PC and NC; mean AST (54.0±2.00), Mean ALT( 34.3±2.08) and Mean ALP( 33.0±1.73) which significantly lower than PC and NC. A similar result occurred at the chronic phases for both PRE and POST. Histological examination also showed inflammatory infiltrates in the PRE and mitotic activity in the POS.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that exposure to Lead caused a hepatic injury and Jathropha interrigima may have the potential to heal or reverse the injurious effect if given as a therapy.