Influence of Nauclea latifolia leaf extracts on some hepatic enzymes of rats fed on coconut oil and non-coconut oil meals

This work focuses primarily on the comparative response of rat liver enzymes to oral administration of the water-soluble fraction of 95% ethanol extract of Nauclea latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) leaves with 10% coconut oil meal and normal rat chow fed for 8 weeks. Forty-eight mature male albino rats of the Wistar strain weighing between 200 and 230 g were divided into two experimental groups. In experiment 1, group 1 (n=6) was fed normal rat chow for 8 weeks, and groups 2, 3, and 4 (n=6) were on normal rat chow for 8 weeks before treatment with 170, 340, and 510 mg/kg body weight, respectively, of oral dose of the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of N. latifolia leaves. In experiment 2, group 1 (n=6) was fed the 10% coconut oil meal as the experimental control, and groups 2, 3, and 4 (n=6) were fed the 10% coconut oil meal for 8 weeks before commencing treatment for 2 weeks with the extract of N. latifolia leaves. The effects of the N. latifolia leaf extract on some marker enzymes were analyzed. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in all the groups when compared to the control, but the increase was higher in the 10% coconut oil meal fed groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity decreased significantly (p > 0.05) in experiment 1 animals when compared with control. Increase in ALT activity was however observed in experiment 2 (p < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities did not change in both experiments. There was no significant (p > 0.05) change in gamma-GT activity in experiment 1, but in experiment 2 glutamyl transferase (GGT) decreased in the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. N. latifolia leaf extract is capable of reducing the activity of gamma-GT if raised by other factors. We also concluded that feeding animals with 10% coconut oil meal predisposes them to more adverse effects by the extract of N. latifolia leaves.