Aqueous Extract of Ficus Vogelii Potentiates Changes in Liver Function and Hematological Parameters of Aspirin Treated Rats

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the possible effect of Ficus vogelii (FV) on liver function and some he matological parameters of male Wistar rats administered with aspirin. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into 4 groups comprisingx 5 animals each. Group 1: Normal control group, Group 2: Positive control group which received 500 mg/kg of aspirin for three days. Group 3: Pre-treated with aqueous extract of Ficus vogelii (600 mg/kg body weight-bwt) for 14 days and then administered with Aspirin (500 mg/kg bwt) for 3 days. Group 4: received 500mg/kg of aspirin for three days, and then treated with aqueous extract of FV (600 mg/kg bwt) for 14 days. Results: There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in PCV in the treatment groups 2, 3 and 4 (39.00±5.19, 41.50±2.59 and 41.50±1.91% respectively) when compared to the control group (62.50±1.44%). A significant decrease was recorded in WBC and platelet count in group 3 (pre-treatment) and 4 (treatment groups) (9.6±0.40í—10/L and 8.8±1.10 í— 10/L respectively) when compared to group 2. A significant decrease was also observed in AST, ALT and ALP levels in FV treated group 4 (9.50±0.29 and 138.50±3.75 μ/L respectively) when compared to group 2 (aspirin-treated group: 27.50±0.87 and 194.50±12.41 μ/L respectively). Conclusion: This extract may thus be useful in ameliorating Aspirin induced liver damage.