Hepatoprotective Effect of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Boswellia dalzielii hutch on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

The aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch was reported to strengthen the liver. Hence, the effect of this plant on carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. 96 male rats were divided into 7 groups of 12 rats each. 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg methanolic extract of the leaves of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch were administered orally for 4 weeks after 0.63ml of CCl₄/kg body weight was used to induce hepatotoxicity. Reducdyn and vitamin E were used as standard control drugs. Liver functions were assessed by the assay of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The biochemical observations were confirmed by histological examinations of the liver sections and are comparable with the standard hepatoprotective drug, reducdyn and vitamin E, which served as positive control. The effect of the extract increased with increase in the extract concentration. When the different concentrations of the extract were compared with the drugs, they were found to mimic the hepatoprotective effect of the drugs. The overall experimental results indicate that the biologically active antioxidant phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of Boswellia dalzielii Hutch could alleviate the toxic action of CCl₄ in the liver of rat.