Ikenazor et al. J Biomed & App Sci FUD (2025) 4:2
Keywords: Paracetamol, hepatotoxicity, liver, Tetrapleura tetraptera, ethanol
2026-03-30 DOI: JOBASFUD_2025_4_2_007
Background: Tetrapleura tetraptera seed extract has been traditionally used in herbal medicine and possesses reported antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.. Methods: A total of 30 wistar rats weighing 64-97g were randomly grouped into 5 groups with 6 rats each. The rats in group A were fed rat diet and water ad libitum to serve as control. Group B were orally administered with 2g/kg of paracetamol only to induce hepatotoxicity. The rats in group C, D, E and F received intraperitoneal injection of Tetrapleura tetraptera seed extract at a dosage of 1000mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively per day for 7 days prior to administration of 2g/kg of paracetamol and continued for 7 days post administration of 2g/kg of paracetamol. The rats were sacrificed and liver collected into labelled jars containing formalin. Results: The result in group A showed intact normal hepatocytes while that of group B showed pyknotic nuclei with Hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolation. The group C rat showed the presence of proliferated focal inflammatory cells, enlarged sinusoid and presence of binucleated hepatocytes while group D rat reported massive liver degeneration and severe (chronic) proliferation of predominace diffused inflammatory cells. Group E rat showed kupffer cells hyperplasia. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Tetrapleura tetraptera seed extract treatments can restore liver histological changes in paracetamol induced hepatotoxic conditions, emphasizing the importance of therapeutic interventions in managing liver-induced hepatotoxicity.