Adejo et al., Nat Prod Chem Res 2014, S1 DOI: 10.4172/2329-6836.S1-003 Research Article Open Access Special Issue 1 • 2014 Nat Prod Chem Res ISSN: 2329-6836 NPCR, an open access journal Anti-Peroxidative, Protective and Ameliorative Properties of Methanol Extract of All Parts of Morinda Lucida Benth in CCl 4 -Induced Liver Injury Adejo GO 1 *, Atawodi SE 2 , Ameh DA 2 and Ibrahim S 2 1 Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Nasarawa State, Nigeria 2 Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria Abstract The methanol extracts of all the various parts of Morinda lucida were studied in vivo for anti-peroxidative, protective and ameliorative effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatocellular injury. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration taken as a measure of lipid peroxidation showed pre-treatment with the parts each (100 mg/kg) conferring anti-peroxidative effect while the leaf and bark extracts showed anti-peroxidative effect in the post-treatment test. Markers of hepatic damage viz: AST, ALT, total and conjugated bilirubin also showed signifcant protection and amelioration against CCl 4 -induced liver damage. Lipid profle studies like TG, TC, LDL and HDL showed no statistical difference among the pre-treatment groups and the ‘normal control’ except in the ‘Root+CCl 4 ’ or ‘Leaf+CCl 4 ’ groups which also showed no difference statistically from the ‘CCl 4 only’ group. In the post-treatment (ameliorative) tests also, no statistical difference was found among the groups compared with the ‘normal control’ except the ‘CCl 4 + Root’ and ‘CCl 4 + Leaf’ groups which bore no statistical difference from the ‘CCl 4 only’ group, as per LDL and HDL respectively. Findings here show the anti-peroxidative and protective properties of Morinda lucida comparable to Vitamins C and E, and ameliorative properties comparable to Silymarin against liver injury. These could possibly be reasons supporting its application in folkloric medicine. *Corresponding author: Adejo GO, Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, Tel: 2348068376357; E-mail: dradejogod@gmail.com Received July 01, 2014; Accepted July 23, 2014; Published July 25, 2014 Citation: Adejo GO, Atawodi SE, Ameh DA, Ibrahim S (2014) Anti-Peroxidative, Protective and Ameliorative Properties of Methanol Extract of All Parts of Morinda Lucida Benth in CCl 4 -Induced Liver Injury. Nat Prod Chem Res S1:003. doi:10.4172/2329-6836.S1-003 Copyright: © 2014 Adejo GO, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Keywords: CCl 4 ; Morinda lucida; Methanol extracts; Liver injury Introduction Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are major sources of primary catalysts that initiate oxidation in vivo and in vitro which creates oxidative stress resulting in numerous diseases and disorders [1,2] such as cancer [3], cardiovascular disease [4], neural disorders [5], Alzheimer’s disease [6] mild congnitive impairment [7], Parkinsons disease [8], alcohol induced liver disease [9], ulcerative colitis [10], ageing [11] and atherosclerosis [12]. Te extreme toxicity of oxygen is related to its high capability of generating free radicals which in turn destroys many major biological molecules. Tey can attack lipids and proteins and destroy membranes. Oxidized cellular thiols abstract hydrogen atoms from unsaturated fatty acids to initiate the peroxidation of membrane lipids [13]. A potent scavenger of these ROS could therefore serve as possible preventive intervention for free radical-mediated diseases [14]. Today, the search for natural compounds and other preparations of plant origin that can be used to prevent or mitigate maladies have been intensifed. For instance, some medicinal and food plants such as Moringa oleifera [15], Khaya senegalensis [16], Syzygium aromaticum [17], Hibiscus esculentus [18], Canarium schweinfurthii [15] have been demonstrated not only to contain phytochemicals with strong antioxidant capacity, but possess diverse powerful medicinal properties. Morinda lucida Benth, a Rubiaceae, is known commonly as ‘brimestone tree’ (English), ‘Arbre à soufre’ (French), and ‘Moindo’ (Polish). In Nigeria, it is called ‘oruwo’ or ‘erewo’ (Yoruba), ‘nfa’ or ‘Ezeogu’ (Igbo), Idonzakara (Hausa),‘ogele’ (Igala), among other many diferent indigenous tribal names, while in other African countries it is called ‘Uhon’ (Ivory Coast) and ‘hojologbo’ (Sierra Leone) [19-21]. It grows in many African countries and it is widely used as a medicine in West Africa. Te plant is generally used as ingredients of fever teas, which are usually taken, for the traditional treatment of malaria [22]. Te decoction of the stem bark has been reportedly used for the treatment of severe jaundice [23]. Tis study was thus designed to evaluate the antioxidant efect of the diferent parts of Morinda lucida and to determine the hepatoprotective/hepatocurative efects of the extract of the diferent parts of Morinda lucida on the integrity of the liver and associate disorders like hyperlipidemia and hyperbilirubinaemia. Materials and Methods Chemicals and reagents All chemicals and reagents (of analytical grade) were obtained from BioVision Inc. (Milpitas, USA), Sigma Aldrich (Germany) or RANDOX Laboratories Randox ® Ltd. (Ardmore, United Kingdom). Experimental animals Male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing between 180-280 g were used. Tey were obtained from Afol farms, Jos, Plateau state and housed in Bingham University Animal facility. Tey were allowed to acclimatize for at least two weeks under the laboratory condition before the experiment was commenced. Except where and when applicable, animal were maintained on standard regular rodent pellet for rats procured from Vital Feeds depot, Gizzard plaza, Mararaba, Nasarawa State. All other protocols for animal management were observed in compliance with the general guidelines for animal experimentation. Collection and authentication of plant sample Te diferent parts of Morinda lucida plant were collected from Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State. Tey were compressed in a plant press and sent to the Herbarum Unit of the Department of Biological N a t u r a l P r o d u c t s C h e m i s t r y & R e s e a r c h ISSN: 2329-6836 Natural Products Chemistry & Research