European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aim: To evaluate the effect of methanol extract of Solanum melongena on carbon tetrachloride- induced liver damage in albino rats.

Methodology: The qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals screening of the plant extract were done using standard method. Liver function test such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined in the serum of the rats at the end of the experiment. Likewise, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the liver antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase were also determined.

Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as tannins (0.005±0.00 mg/g), saponins (0.64±0.03 mg/g), flavonoids (0.36±0.01mg/g) and alkaloids (0.036±0.00 mg/g). The activities of ALT, AST and ALP significantly increased (p>0.05) in CCl₄ induced groups when compared to all treated groups. The administration of methanol extract of Solanum melongena at 500 mg/kg body weight (bw) and 1500 mg/kgbw decreased (p<0.05) the activity of ALT in the treated groups. The activity of SOD and CAT in the CCl₄- induced group was decreased and this was significantly increased on treatment with the extracts at 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kgbw. However, methanolic extract of Solanum melongena at 1500 mg/kgbw showed a more significant increase in the activity of these enzymes. Also, increase in the level of MDA in CCl₄ treated group was observed when compared with the normal group and this was decreased (p<0.05) on administration with methanol extract of Solanum melongena at 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kgbw.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that methanol extract of S. melongena possess important phytoconstituents and hepatoprotective activity. Thus, the extract possess potent therapeutic agent for the management of liver damage.