Hepatoprotective Effect of Parkia biglobosa on Acute Ethanol-induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Aim: This study is aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effect of Parkia biglobosa on acute
ethanol-induced oxidative stress in wistar rats.
Methods: P. biglobosa was purchased from a local market at Orita-Challenge area of Ibadan,
Nigeria. They were sun dried and milled into powder using an electronic blender (Moulinex). The
powder was extracted using n-hexane. Twenty adult male wistar rats with body weight between
120 and 150 g were purchased from the Central Animal House, College of Medicine, University of
Ibadan, Nigeria. They were housed in Imrat animal house, Ibadan. They were acclimatized for
seven (7) days during which they were fed ad libitum with standard feed and drinking water. They were randomly divided into four groups of five rats each. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were

administered normal saline solution while those in groups 3 and 4 were administered P. biglobosa
extract for twenty-one days. The animals were administered the extract and saline solution at a
dose of 4 ml per 100 g body weight 12 hourly via oral route of administration. At the end of the
treatment, they were fasted overnight and animals in groups 2 and 4 were exposed to a single dose
of 70% ethanol at 12 ml/kg body weight to induce oxidative stress. After 12 hours of ethanol
administration, the animals were anaesthetized using diethyl ether and were sacrificed. Liver was
excised, weighed and homogenized in 50 mmol/L Tris–HCl buffer (pH 7.4) and then centrifuged at
5000 × g for 15 minutes for biochemical analysis. Supernatants were immediately kept frozen until
when needed.
Results: Ethanol-induced oxidative stress significantly increased the activities of AST, ALT, LDH,
LPO, CAT and SOD but decrease GSH. However, it has no effect on GPX. These effects were
regulated by P. biglobosa administration.
Conclusion: P. biglobosa was able to remedy the effect of ethanol by regulating the oxidative
stress biomarkers, thus possesses prophylactic efficacy against ethanol-induced oxidative stress
and can protect the liver against free radicals arising from oxidative stress.