Effect of ethanol leaves extract of Justicia schimperi on liver enzymes, serum proteins and bilirubin

Background: The effect of ethanolic leaves extract of Justicia schimperi on liver function was investigated. The liver enzymes studied include aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and bilirubin.Methods: 30 adult albino Wistar rats with weight ranging from 150g to 224g were used. They were divided into five groups of 6 rats per group. Varying doses of 274mg/kg, 547mg/kg, 821mg/kg and 1095mg/kg per body weight of Juisticia schimperi leaves extract were orally administered daily to test groups II, III, IV and V for 14 days respectively. Group (I) however served as control that received normal rat pellets and water only.Results: The results showed that there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activities of AST, GGT and ALT in all the test groups; ALP in Groups III and IV when compared to control. On the other hand, the results also showed no significant increase at (p<0.05) in the concentrations of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin of the test groups when compared to control. Also, albumin, globulins and total proteins showed significant increase (p<0.05) when compared to control.Conclusions: Therefore, the observed changes in the parameters assessed, signifies the hepatotoxic impact of Justicia schimperi leaves which may be due to the doses administered and duration of administration or present of some bioactive substances.