<i>Gingko biloba</i> Extract Ameliorates Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Abstract:The present study investigated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in attenuating cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity. A total of 24 adult Wistar rats with an average weight of 145g were used for this study. The rats were randomly divided into groups of four: groups A (control), B (Cd at 50mg/kg BW), C (Cd at 50mg/kg BW and GBE at 100mg/kg BW) and D (Cd at 50mg/kg BW and GBE at 300mg/kg BW). Liver tissues were excised, homogenized and centrifuged to obtain supernatant for analysis of liver enzyme activities including ALP, AST, and ALT. Other samples were fixed in 10% formal saline for 24 hrs and processed for histological analysis. Statistical analysis of data -one way analysis of variance-was done using GraphPad Prism 5. Results indicated changes in the activities of liver enzymes (ALP and AST) in the treated groups compared to the control group. ALP activity was significantly higher in group B compared to groups C and D. Also, AST activities of group B was significantly higher than the control group, and no significant difference was observed in the activities of ALT across the groups. It was observed that cadmium produced cytotoxic effects in both the liver histoarchitecture and enzyme activities as seen in the increased levels of ALP, AST activities while Ginkgo biloba ameliorated alterations in enzyme activities and preserved liver histoarchitecture. The low dose of Ginkgo biloba was more effective in ameliorating the hepatotoxic effects.