Ameliorating Effect of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata in carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in Wistar rats

Author : Richard Sunny Ebugosi, Ngozichukwuka Immaculata Achara, Obiajulu Christian Ezeigwe

Abstract : Medicinal plants, which include Chromolaena odorata and their bioactive derivatives, have been reported to have diverse pharmacological functions including detoxifying and ameliorating potential. The study investigated the ameliorating potential effect of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata leaves on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular injury in male Wistar rats. The aqueous extract of C. odorata was prepared using conventional methods. Phytochemical analysis was carried out according to the methods of Harborne, Obadoni and Ochuka. A total number of thirty-seven rats were used in this experiment; twelve for acute toxicity and twenty-five for carbon tetrachloride induced hepatocellular injury. Biochemical analysis was determined using Randox diagnostic test kits while histological analysis was carried out using Haematoxylin and Eosin method. Statistical analysis of the results obtained were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result of the phytochemical analysis revealed that flavonoids (10.91±0.00)g/100g content of C. odorata leaves was higher followed by alkaloids (7.45±0.00)g/100g, cardiac glycosides (5.22±0.00)g/100g and saponins (4.96±0.00)g/100g. The acute toxicity study conducted revealed that the aqueous extract of C. odorata may not be toxic as no death was recorded at a very high dose of 5000mg/kg bodyweight of the animals. The results of biochemical analysis (liver function test) show that Alanine transaminase (ALT) activity (43.33 ± 2.60)IU/L, Aspartate transaminase (AST) (62.33±7.13)IU/L activity, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (42.00±1.53)IU/L activity, Direct bilirubin (D. Bil) (1.93±0.09)mg/dl and Total bilirubin (T. Bil) (3.13±0.18)mg/dl concentration of the carbon tetrachloride induced untreated animals were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared with the ALT activity (21.67 ± 1.33)IU/L, AST (21.67±1.33) IU/L activity, ALP (19.33±3.76) IU/L activity, D. Bil (0.93±0.09)mg/dl and T. Bil (2.57±0.15)mg/dl concentration of the group treated with 300mg/kg bodyweight of the aqueous extract. Treatment with 100mg/kg and 300mg/kg bodyweight of the aqueous extract of C. odorata for a period of four weeks significantly ameliorated the alterations in the liver function. Therefore, this study revealed that C. odorata to some extent was able to ameliorate the alterations in the biochemical parameters caused by carbon tetrachloride on the rats. The results obtained from this study proved that C. odorata contains some bioactive compound capable of protecting the liver cell from injuries.

Keywords : Chromolaena odorata, Carbon tetrachloride, Alkaloids, Saponins, Aqueous.

Conference Name : International Conference on Drug Development, Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IC2DCLM-26)

Conference Place : New York, USA

Conference Date : 26th Sep 2026