ANTIHEPATOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF ENTADA-AFRICANA (MIMOSACEAE)

The effect of Entada africana extracts on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- induced acute liver damage was evaluated. Plasma enzyme levels, glutam ate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase ( GPT), alkaline phosphatase, hepatic S-nucleotidase activity and trigly ceride levels increased with CCl4 administration, were lowered by pret reatment with Entada extracts. The results of this study showed that E ntada, according to its therapeutic indication in various liver diseas es in traditional medicine, could afford a protective action against C Cl4-induced hepatocellular injury. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.