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, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase, hepatic S-nucleotidase activity and triglyceride levels increased with CCl4 administration, were lowered by pretreatment with Entada extracts. The results of this study showed that Entada, according to its therapeutic indication in various liver diseases in traditional medicine, could afford a protective action against CCl4-induced hepatocellular injury. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.