Bilirubin Lowering Activity Of Methanolic Leaf Extract Of Uvaria Chamae On Jaundice Rats

Background: Uvaria chamae P. Beauv. (Annonaceae) is being used ethno-medically in Nigeria to treat some ailments including jaundice accompanied yellow fever. Objective: This study is to ascertain the potency of Uvaria chamae in jaundice/yellow fever treatment. Methods: Male albino rats (36) in six groups (n = 6) were induced with jaundice by administering 1 ml/kg of 30% CCL (i.p) for 7 days. Afterwards, a group each 4 was daily and orally administered with positive control silymarin (30 mg/kg), Phenobarbital (5 mg/kg)and methanolic leaf extract of Uvaria chamae at three different doses of 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg for another 7 days, one of the induced groups was not treated and served as the negative control. After the 7 day treatment, plasma from each rat was subjected to biochemical investigation to assess the level of bi l irubin and l i ver enz y m es (Alanine aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase) in all the groups. Acute toxicity study was carried out by administering 5000mg/kg of extract to six albino mice. Result: Administration of CCl4 intraperitoneally resulted in elevated bilirubin level in all the animals. The methanolic extract of Uvaria chamae significantly reduced bilirubin level in a dose dependent manner, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg at P<0.05 and 80 mg/kg at P<0.01 when compared with the negative control. When the bilirubin level at 80 mg/kg of the extract was compared to the positive control Phenobarbital (5 mg/kg) a greater reduction occurred from the extract (Silymarin 3 mg/kg was found to be ineffective). The Liver enzyme, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also significantly reduced by the extract in a dose dependent manner with a significant value (P<0.05) compared to the negative control. Acute oral toxicity showed no toxic effect at 5000 mg/kg(LD >500 mg/kg body weight). 50 Conclusion: This study shows that Uvaria chamae leaf possesses anti-jaundice activity with relative safety and supports its ethno-medical use. Keywords: Uvaria chamae, extract, jaundice, albino rats