Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Liver diseases are a significant global health concern, with a high prevalence of liver damage caused by toxins such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Senna tora, a commonly used medicinal plant in traditional medicine, has been reported to possess various pharmacological properties including antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Senna tora leaf extract on CCl4-induced liver toxicity in rats. Rats were divided into four groups control, CCl4 treated, Senna tora leaf extract alone, and Senna tora leaf extract with CCl4 treatment. The rats were treated with Senna tora leaf extract (200 mg/kg) daily for 7 days, followed by a single dose of CCl4 (1.5 ml/kg) on the 7th day. After 24 hours, the rats were sacrificed, and liver tissues were collected for analysis. The results showed that CCl4 induced liver damage as evidenced by elevated levels of serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), lipid peroxidation, and decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH). Treatment with Senna tora leaf extract significantly attenuated these effects, with a notable reduction in liver enzyme levels and lipid peroxidation, and restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities. Histopathological examination further supported the hepatoprotective effects of Senna tora leaf extract, showing reduced liver damage and inflammation in the treated group compared to the CCl4 alone group. The protective mechanism of Senna tora leaf extract may be attributed to its antioxidant properties, which help to scavenge free radicals generated by CCl4, thereby reducing oxidative stress and subsequent liver damage. The presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds in the extract may contribute to its hepatoprotective effects. In conclusion, Senna tora leaf extract demonstrated significant hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced liver toxicity in rats, potentially through its antioxidant properties. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the specific bioactive components and molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of Senna tora leaf extract, with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapeutic strategies for liver diseases.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Many of the developing countries including African countries like Nigeria practice traditional medicine as its main source of health care. This traditional medicine is normally gotten from plant origin [Rehan Ahmad et al, 2008, Stephen bent, 2008].Today nearly 88 percent of the global populations switch to plant derived medicines as their first line of defence for maintaining health and combating diseases [Kintzios et al,2006]. Presently there are about 60 types of medicinal plants that have been recognised in primary health care and are classified according to their pharmacological actions such as peptic ulcers, anti flatulence, laxative, antidiarrhoeal and anti hepatic [Viomolos et al,2003]. However in future the discovery of novel therapeutic agents will be only dependent on plant origin [Perumalsamy et al, 1999].

Senna tora is an example of traditional medicine with pharmacological actions as anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, carninitative, emollients, ophthalmic and purgative [Polunin and Stainton,1984,Yeung,1985,Manandhar, 2002]. It can be cardiotonic, antiperiodic, anthelmintic and expectorant and can also be used in treating cough,leprosy ,ringworm ,colic,flatulence, constipation and other disorders[Natureserve,2007]. Senna tora formally regarded as cassia tora is capable of suppressing the production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory agonists such as cytokines, histamine, kinin and free radical.manila,1998 buttressed his observations confirming its use in the treatment of constipation, edema and liver protection in Korea.

Liver, the largest internal organ of the human body performs more than five hundred functions, all of which are very vital to life. The liver can regenerate or grow back cells that have been destroyed by short term injury or disease, but if the liver is damaged repeatedly over a long period of time, it may undergo irreversible changes which permanently interferes with its function.

Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic substance that interrupts the liver and its functions. This is to say that it damages the liver when ingested.CCL4 is stable in the presence of air and light, it is also inflammable. Despite its toxic effect on the liver, it is useful as grain fumigant ,pesticide etc. Equilibrium of the body fluids and secretions are altered as a result of carbon tetrachloride. For instance lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism and biotransformation functions of the liver are terminated or altered in the presence of CCL4.Thus carbon tetrachloride is lethal. The liver produces some enzyme such as aspartate amino transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase,gamma glutamyl transferase etc which catalyses the biochemical activities of the body, and on the attack of CCL4 to the liver ,these enzymes will not be produced.

Free radicals are highly reactive compounds with uneven number of electrons in their outermost orbit. This can react with cellular compounds like unsaturated fatty acids and can generate new free radicals which result in irreversible biochemical injury like membrane damage, apotosis and cell necrosis. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and stop the subsequent reactions hence protecting the macromolecules and cellular environment from toxicity and degeneration [Hong B.O. Shao et al, 2008].The oxygen consumption inherent in cell growth leads to the generation of series of reactive oxygen species [ROS].The ROS are molecules such as superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals[OH]. ROS may be very damaging attacking the lipids of cell membrane and DNA mutation which may further propagate the propagation of many diseases[Valontao et al 2002,Gulcin et al 2003]. Reactive oxygen species are continuously produced during normal Physiological events and are removed by antioxidants defence mechanism [Buyukokuroglu et al,2001]. Many results have shown that some of the cassia species have acquired antimicrobial substances and antioxidant activities.

1.1 AIMS OF THE RESEARCH

The aim of this research is to find out hepatoprotective effects of senna tora leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity.

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