Vol. 3, Issue 2 (2014)

Author(s):
Doumbia Idrissa*, Bagre Issa, Yapi Houphouet Felix, Djaman Allico Joseph, N’guessan Jean David

Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the hepatic safety of Mitracarpus scaber (Rubiaceae) in rabbit. This plant is traditionally used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is also used to treat skin diseases and many ailments in Côte d’Ivoire and around West Africa. Six groups of 6 rabbits each, were injected intraperitoneally, twice a week four six weeks, with increasing doses ranging from 12.5 to 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract ofMitracarpus scaber (encoded Misca). Blood sampling was carried out to investigate changes in different serum biochemical markers: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (ᵧGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, total proteins, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The statistical analysis showed significant decrease of triglycerides concentration and in serum activities of ALP, LDH (P<0.05). But there is no significant change in serum activity of ALT, AST, ᵧGT as well as serum concentrations of glucose, total proteins and total cholesterol (P>0.05). In conclusion, the aqueous extract of Misca at dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks induces no hepatic dysfunction and is therefore well tolerated by the liver.