Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International

Acute toxicity and effect of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha curcas (ALEOJC) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats was evaluated. The rats (60) were divided into five groups designated as; I, II, III, IV and Vof which groups I and II has 15 rats each while, group III, IV and V have 10 rats each. Groups II to V were induced with hepato-toxicity using 150 mg/kg body weight CCl4 intramuscularly. Serum liver marker enzymes were assayed 48hrs after induction of liver injury followed by 2^nd and 4^th weeksof treatment with ALEOJC and Livolin. Oral LD50 of ALEOJC was found to be 2,792.85 mg/kg. Serum levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT), Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin level were significantly (P<0.05) increased in group II (untreated rats) compared to group I (normal control). Following treatment with ALEOJC {10 mg/kg (Group III) and 1000 mg/kg (Group IV)} orally, once daily for 4 weeks, a significant hepatocurative effect was observed as evident by decreased level of the serum liver marker enzymes, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin and increase in serum albumin. The hepatocurative effect of ALEOJC is comparable to the standard drug livolin (Group V receiving livolin at 10 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks). This finding suggested that ALEOJC may possess hepatocurative effect against CCl₄ – induced liver damage in rats. The curative effects may be associated with the phytochemical content of the plant.