Effect of methanol stem bark extract of Ochna schweinfurthiana (Ezeata) on liver enzymes in Wistar rats

The effects of methanol stem bark extract of Ochna schweinfurthiana were studied using Wistar rats. Twenty (20) experimental animals (Wistar rats) were randomly grouped into four groups of 5 rats each. They were allowed to acclimatize for 2 weeks. Rats in group A served as the control and were fed with rat feed and water only, rats in groups B to D were fed with normal rat feed, water and were fed with different doses of Ochna schweinfuthiana extracts at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg respectively for 4 weeks. The Animals were sacrificed under anesthesia after the experiment and liver was harvested and the weights were taken. Blood samples were collected for liver enzymes estimation: aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were checked. The extract proved to be hepato-protective as there were significant decrease in the liver function enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) P<0.05. This may indicate some hepato-protective effect of Ochna schweinfurthiana.