EFFECT OF SELECTED YORUBA MEDICINAL FORMULATIONS ON HEPATIC ARCHITECTURE AND FUNCTIONALITY IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Yoruba medicinal formulations on the architecture and structural integrity of hepatocytes and the concomitant effect on its functionality. The Yoruba medicinal formulation derived from plant extract was purchased from a traditional healer at Rumuosi, River state. Healthy albino rats were grouped into three groups, group 1 served as control while group 2 and 3 served as experimental groups. Group 1 received 5% normal saline while group 2 received 2.9μl/kg body weight of the formulation and group 3 received 5.5μl/kg body weight of same formulation. Administration of formulation to both control and experimental groups ran for six weeks during which assay of AST, ALT, ALP, Total Protein, Urea, Bilirubin and creatinine were done at two weeks intervals. Also histological examination of liver was also performed. This finding suggests that, for lower body weight, hepatotoxicity sets in as a result of the medicinal formulation while for higher body weight, hepatotoxicity can be developed.