Dose Dependent Hepatotoxicity Study of Senna tora Leaves on Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Ejeh Yakubu Ojochenemi , Ayuka Genesis , Patience Audu Jankada , Gabriel Onuh Emmanuel 
Published: November 2024

Medicinal plants and herbs such as Sennatora contain substances known to modern and ancient civilizations for their healing properties. Documented evidence shows that the plant has been used to treat various ailments. Still, its toxicity on vital organ such as the liver has not been specifically studied. The study was designed to ascertain the dose dependent hepatotoxicity of Sennatora leaves on Wistar albino rats. A total of twenty-five (25) Wistar albino rats were used, divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each (Group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). Group 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of the S. tora ethanol fraction, respectively while group 1 was the normal control which received only distilled water and feed ad libitum. The treatment was carried out for 21 days. At the end of the experiments, the animals were sacrificed. Afterward, liver function tests and lipid peroxidation estimation were carried out. The indicators of liver function which include Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Total protein (T.P), and Albumin (ALB) were ascertained. Also the parameters for lipid peroxidation which include Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were determined. The result showed that there was a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in the level of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) across the groups compared to the normal control. There was a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the concentration of Total protein (TP) across the group in relation to the normal control while for the concentration of Albumin (ALB), there was a significant (p≤0.05) increase in group 2 (8.89±1.16), 4 (8.85±0.57), and 5 (7.30±0.84) which received 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg S. tora fraction respectively and a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in group 3 (0.76±0.06) which received 200 mg/kg compared to the normal control (3.45±0.63). The result for lipid peroxidation showed that there was significant (p≤0.05) increase in the concentration of MDA in group 2 (45.67±0.50) which received 100 mg/kg, however, there was significant (p≤0.05) decrease in the other groups compare to the normal control. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes: SOD showed significant (p≤0.05) decrease in group 2 (76.45±3.39) which received 100 mg/kg and a significant (p≤0.05) increase in group 3 (88.55±2.03), 4 (77.99±4.67) and 5 (83.23±0.89) which received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of S. tora fraction respectively compared to the normal control. While the result for CAT showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase across the group compared to the normal control. This study showed that at doses of 100- 800 mg/kg body weight, S. tora did not cause hepatotoxicity. The use of S. tora as a traditional herb for managing liver disease without causing significant organ damage has also been supported by this study.