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Hepatoprotective role of Garcinia kolanut
(Heckel) extract
on methamphetamine: Induced neurotoxicity in mice
Gabriel Oze*, Iheanyi Okoro, Austin
Obi and Polycarp Nwoha
Institute of Neuroscience and Biomedical Research, College
of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
gabrieloze@yahoo.com.
Accepted 23 November, 2009 |
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The hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Garcinia
kola (AEGK) was studied in 60 mice of mixed sexes. The
animals were divided into 6 groups of 10 mice each. Group I
received normal saline, Groups II and III got 100 and 200
mg/kg AEGK (orally), respectively. Group IV received 10
mg/kg methamphetamine (MAM) (s.c.) only. Groups V and VI got
100 and 200 mg/kg of AEGK respectively, before 10 mg/kg
methamphetamine which was used to induce neurotoxicity. The
serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and its
conjugated metabolite were used to assess liver damage.
Fifty percent of the animals in group IV died. 30% died in
group V and none in group VI after 10 - 30 min interval of
MAM administration. The serum levels of some of the marker
enzymes and bilirubin were decreased significantly in groups
VI at 200 mg/kg of AEGK (P < 0.05). The Blood glucose level
increased transiently in the MAM treated groups. There was a
slight rise in serum WBC after an initial fall at 100 mg/kg
AEGK. The results suggest a possible hepatoprotective
potential of AEGK. This may justify their local use in the
management of some hepatic dysfunction and stress-related
conditions.
Key words: Garcinia kola extract, methamphetamine, neuroprotection,
mice. |
