Protective Effect of Anacardium occidentale on the Liver Enzymes of Paracetamol Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

This study investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of Anacardium occidentale on paracetamol induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty (20) Wistar rats were randomly divided into four (4) groups of five (5) rats each. The groups were designated as follows; A, B, C and D. Group A served as the normal control and received 2ml/kg of distilled water, group B served as the paracetamol treated control and received 1000 mg/kg body weight of paracetamol only, group C received 1000 mg/kg of paracetamol then treated with 250 mg/kg bw of A. occidentale extract, group D received 1000 mg/kg bw of paracetamol then treated with 500 mg/kg of A. occidentale extract daily for 4 weeks respectively. After the last day of administration, the rats were anaesthetized by cervical dislocation and their blood samples collected for analysis. The result revealed significant decrease (P=.05) in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the groups treated with A. occidentale compared to the paracetamol treated groups. It can be deduced that A. occidentale has the potential of protecting the liver against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.and thus, should be recommended in the management of liver disorders.