Ameliorative Potential of Methanolic Extract of Persea americana Leaves on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatic and Renal Injury in Albino Rat

Temidayo Ogunmoyole, Alfonso Oluwapelumi, Agboola Adeola and Omowumi Jayeola Makun

Background and Objective: Persea americana has been exploited in the management of several ailments in folkloric medicine. The present study, therefore, sought to investigate the medicinal potential of its leaves in the treatment of liver and kidney diseases. This was aimed at providing a cheap but potent alternative in the management of these diseases. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly placed into five groups and exposed to 3 mL kg^–1 b.wt., of CCl₄ except for group I which served as the control. Exposed animals were treated with graded doses of P. americana and silymarin except for group II animals that were left untreated for fourteen days. Biomarkers of liver and kidney functions such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as bilirubin, creatinine and urea were determined in the serum and organs homogenates. Moreover, serum levels of selected inflammatory markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzymes were also measured. Results: Treatment with methanolic extract of P. americana leaves attenuated the toxicity imposed by CCl₄ in a dose-dependent manner as reflected in the restoration of all deranged biochemical parameters including the distorted histoarchitecture of hepatic, renal and cardiac tissues of experimental animals. Conclusion: Considering the avalanche of antioxidant phytochemicals present in the methanolic extract of P. americana leaves, coupled with biochemical and histopathological observations, the plant is a highly promising therapeutic alternative that can be exploited for the treatment of renal, hepatic diseases.

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