Sub-acute Safety Study Of Mucuna Pruriens Extract On Liver Profile.

Background: The use of plant-based medicines is becoming popular especially in developing countries.Objectives: This study investigated the safety margin of methanolic seed extract of Mucuna pruriens (MEMP) on the liver of Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods: Twenty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups (n =5) were used for this study. Group I served as control group and received 10 ml of distilled water. Groups II-IV received daily oral doses of MEMP at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, blood samples collected for liver function test and the liver excised and processed for histology and biochemical assay of oxidant status.Results: Study showed a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities with a significant decrease in Malondialdehyde levels at 100 mg/kg dose. Significant reductions in Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine phosphatase and Alanine transferase levels were observed. Normal histoarchitecture of the liver was maintained at both 50 and 100 mg/kg doses, whereas the 200 mg/kg dose showed pathological changes in the liver.Conclusion: MEMP increases antioxidant capacity, reduces liver enzymes and maintains normal histoarchitecture of the liver in Sprague-Dawley rats at the optimal dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, liver function test, liver injury