Journal of Applied Life Sciences International

This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic root extract of Jatropha curcas in acetaminophen-induced toxicity in wistar albino rats. The phytochemical screening and composition were determined using gas chromatography. Thirty albino rats weighing between 170 and 200 g were used, were separated into 5 groups. Group one was administered distilled water, 2 was administered 1000 mg/kg AC only, 3, 4 and 5 were administered 1000 mg/kg acetaminophen + 200 mg/kg extract, 1000 mg/kg acetaminophen + 400 mg/kg extract, 1000 mg/kg AC + 100 mg/kg Silymarin. Phytochemical composition of root of the plant showed saponin (55.7079 µg/g) lunamarine (34.3976 µg/g), kaempferol (32.7107 µg/g), rutin (20.7399 µg/g), sapogenin (11.2644 µg/g), phenol (4.1557 µg/g), anthocyanin (1.1946 µg/g), epicatechin (0.8303 µg/g) and catechin (0.1883 µg/g). The plasma ALP, AST, ALT and GGT activities of the negative control were 151.50±14.11 U/L, 48.00±7.19 U/L, 79.50 ± 2.14 U/L and 3.50± 0.45 U/L respectively. The plasma ALP, AST, ALT and GGT activities of group 3 were 78.50± 4.75 U/L, 23.00± 2.35 U/L, 49.00± 3.65 and 2.95 ± 0.17 U/L respectively, were significantly decreased when compared with the controls. The plasma total protein, albumin and total bilirubin levels of the negative control were 57.00± 0.86 g/l, 32.00 ± 0.86 g/l, 20.35 ± 0.83 µmol. The      plasma total protein, albumin and total bilirubin levels of group 3 were 61.50± 2.14 g/l, 33.00± 0.86 g/l 11.15 ± 0.98 µmol respectively and were significantly increased when compared the controls. The significant improvement observed on the liver markers is suggestive of the hepatoprotective properties of Jatropha curcas.