Hepatotoxicity of Methanol Seed Extract of<i> Aframomum melegueta</i> [Roscoe] K. Schum. (Grains of paradise) in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Abstract

The hepatotoxic effects of the seeds of Aframomum melegueta (Grains of paradise), a spice were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Individual rat groups received sub-chronic exposure of the methanol seed extract at 300 mg/kg for 7, 14 and 21 days respectively. Liver toxicity was evaluated with assay of circulating serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total bilirubin concentrations and histopathology of the liver of treated experimental rats. Serum levels of AST significantly (p<0.05) increased progressively in extract-treated rats compared to the control from day 7 till the termination of the study (day 21). However, serum ALT, ALP and total bilirubin levels of test rats were only significantly (p<0.05) elevated relative to the normal on days 14 and 21 of the investigation. The dose (300 mg/kg) of extract produced AST value of 55.8±3 µL -1 while the control was 32.2±1.9 µL . The serum albumin levels of extract-treated rats were however, comparable with that of the normal rats throughout the study period. Histopathology of the rat livers revealed mild focal necrosis of hepatocytes at day 7, moderate multifocal areas of hepatic necrosis at day 14 and severe, diffused necrosis of hepatocytes at day 21 of treatment with the extract. The results demonstrated that the methanol seed extract of A. melegueta was potent in inducing liver toxicity at the tested dose (300 mg/kg). Maximal caution should therefore be imbibed in prolonged excessive use of the plant seeds as spice in delicacies.

Research progress in phytochemistry and biology ofAframomumspecies

“…There was also a decrease in the mean relative liver weight of test rats compared to the control as well as histopathological lesions on treated rat liver. However, low and high doses of aqueous extract of A. melegueta seeds have shown no toxicity in the histological observation of the adrenal glandular cells (Chinaka et al 2014).…”

Proximate, phytochemical and micronutrient compositions of Dialium guineense and Napoleona imperialis plant parts

“…Napoleona imperialis belongs to the family of Lecythidaceae that grows in all regions of Nigeria and other parts of West Africa [8]. Napoleona imperialis P. Beauv is the most widespread Napoleona in Nigeria.…”

“…Beauv., N. vogelli Hook and N. gossweileri Baker F. are economically important [9]. Though Napoleona imperialis is one of the lesser-known plants, its economic importance has partially been reported by Nwaehujor et al [8]. These include the use of the leaves for medicinal purposes and the twigs as traditional chew sticks.…”

“…The leaves show the presence of cyanide, glycosides, tannins, proteins, and saponins. Though, N. imperialis is one of the lesser-known plants, its economic importance has partially been reported [8,14,15]. A proper understanding of their proximate mineral and nutrient compositions will lower the over dependence of many communities and industries on few arable crops for vegetables and herbal drugs.…”