Research Article

**Hepatoprotective Activity and Flavonoids of Alchornea laxiflora Leaf Extract**

Ganiyat K. Oloyede, Patricia A. Onocha, Oluwatosin A. Adaramoye and S. Emmanuel Thonda

The leaves of Alchornea laxiflora have antihistamine, anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory applications in ethno medicine. This study was aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective activity, isolation and structural elucidation of the phytochemical constituents of the leaf ethanolic extract. Hepatoprotective assay was carried out against carbontetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats. The marker enzymes used in assay to assess liver function include: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkalinephosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Isolation and purification of fractions was achieved using standard chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques. The marker enzymes registered enhanced activity (p<0.05) in CCl₄-treated rats as administration of ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves of A. laxiflora was found to reduce the elevated levels of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH, thereby protecting the liver from toxic effects of carbontetrachloride. The result was further supported by histopathological studies of liver samples which showed regeneration of hepatocytes by the extract. Two other flavonoids were found for the first time from the Nigerian specie of A. laxiflora along with two previously reported flavonoids in this specie. The structures of these flavonoids were confirmed to be quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and quercetin 3, 7, 3', 4'-tetrasulphate while the latter two were identified as quercetin and quercetrin. This study has helped to establish the hepatoprotective influence of the leaves of A. laxiflora, isolate and elucidate the structure of the phytochemical constituents of the active fractions and justified the use of the plant in traditional medicine.

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Ganiyat K. Oloyede, Patricia A. Onocha, Oluwatosin A. Adaramoye and S. Emmanuel Thonda, 2011. Hepatoprotective Activity and Flavonoids of Alchornea laxiflora Leaf Extract. Research Journal of Phytochemistry, 5: 190-200.

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjphyto.2011.190.200

Research Journal of Phytochemistry

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Authors

Ganiyat K. Oloyede

Patricia A. Onocha

Oluwatosin A. Adaramoye

S. Emmanuel Thonda

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Research Article

**Hepatoprotective Activity and Flavonoids of Alchornea laxiflora Leaf Extract**

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