Effect of Aqueous Extract of Chromolaena odorata Leaves on Liver and Kidney Function of Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata leaves on liver function and kidney function of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. A total of thirty-eight rats were used in the study. Of these, 13 rats were designated for the determination of the lethal dose (LD50) while the remaining 25 rats were used for the other aspects of the study. The rats were divided into five groups: Group A (normal control), Group B (negative control: induced with CCl₄ and left untreated), Group C (positive control: induced with CCl₄ and treated with silymarin), Group D (CCl₄-induced and treated with 100 mg/kg C. odorata extract), and Group E (CCl₄-induced and treated with 300 mg/kg C. odorata extract). The LD50 was done using Lorke’s method while the liver function and kidney function analyses were done using standard biochemical methods. LD50 testing indicated no signs of toxicity at both low and high doses of the extract. Liver function and kidney function levels showed improvement with the extract treatment, though Group A (normal control) exhibited superior results compared to Group C (positive control). Overall, the findings suggest that the aqueous extract of Chromolaena odorata leaves has a hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential, which may provide a viable therapeutic approach for CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity.