Inhibitory Effect of Vernonia amygdalina on Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

In this study, the protective effect of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic leaf extract against hepatic fibrosis induced by repeated intermittent administration of Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was investigated in rats. A total of 48 rats divided into 4 groups were used. Group 1 served as control, Group 2 received 200mg/kg Vernonia amygdalina only for 14days, Group 3 received 200mg/kg Vernonia amygdalina for 14 days followed by intraperitoneal administration of 10mg/kg DMN on first three days of each week for 2 weeks, while Group 4 received intraperitoneal administration of 10mg/kg DMN on the first three days of each week for 2 weeks. Oral administration of Vernonia amygdalina led to recovery of body/liver weight losses and significantly reversed elevation of total collagen, AST, ALT and ALP in DMN-exposed rats. Severe oxidative stress induced in fibrotic rats was evidenced by elevation in MDA levels associated with a fall in the activities of GSH, SOD and CAT in the DMN-treated group. These were significantly reversed by simultaneous treatment with Vernonia amygdalina. Recovery of rat liver tissue from DMN-induced hepatocellular necrosis and hepatic fibrosis by Vernonia amygdalina treatment was confirmed by histopathological evaluation of liver tissue. In conclusion, Vernonia amygdalina exhibits hepatoprotective, antioxidant, free radical-scavenging, and anti-fibrotic activity against DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis.