HEPATO-PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS LEAF-EXTRACT OF TALINUM TRIANGULARE IN MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG) INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE IN ALBINO RATS

Hepato-protective effect of aqueous leaf-extract of Talinum triangulare on monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced hepatic damage in albino rats. Liver damage was induced via oral intubation with MSG in two test groups; one group was not treated while the other group was treated with aqueous leaf-extract of Talinum triangulare at 100,200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of rats twice for 1 week respectively. One group was not induced and received distilled water only. The Liver enzymes activities were determined from plasma transaminase activities of the rats. Twenty eight albino rats were grouped into A, B and C. Group B and C were further subdivided into B1, B2, B3, C1, C2 and C3 respectively. Each group contained four rats. MSG was administered in all the B and C sub-groups except group A (Positive control). Group B1-B3 (negative control) were not administered aqueous leaf-extract of Talinum triangulare while groups C1-C3 were administered aqueous leaf-extract of Talinum triangulare and MSG orally twice daily for 1 week at varying doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight. The liver enzymes levels were determined using spectrophotometric method. The result showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of ALT, AST and ALP in a dose dependent manner in albino rats administered MSG solution without treatment. The result revealed that there were significant (P<0.05) reductions in AST, ALT and ALP levels in rats treated with aqueous leaf-extract of Talinum triangulare in a dose dependent manner in group C. The study revealed that MSG has potential to increase liver enzymes and the administration of Talinum triangulare (water leaf) extract together with MSG to albino rats may be responsible for the decreased level of liver enzymes. Key words: Talinum triangulare, MSG, Aqueous leaf-extract, Hepato-protective effect and transaminase activities and ALP Activity