Hepatoprotective Effects of Vernonia amygdalina (Astereaceae) Extract on CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Broiler Chickens
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Date
2021-11-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract
(VALE) on the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity (CCl4) in broiler chickens. A total of
360-day-old broilers were divided into 4 treatments of 90 birds each consisting of 6 replicates of 15
birds each. The treatments were birds offered 1 mL/kg BW saline (control group), 100 mg/kg BW
VALE, 1 mL/kg BW CCl4 (CCl4-treated group), and 100 mg/kg BW VALE + 1 mL/kg BW CCl4
(VALE + CCl4 group). Blood samples were collected at 42 days of age and analyzed for the liver
enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase
(ALP), and selected biochemical parameters. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized
design. The results obtained showed that VALE had the potential to mitigate the adverse effects
of CCl4 on protein and lipid metabolism as reflected in the low serum malondialdehyde (MDA)
levels, which is a marker of lipid peroxidation. The aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) at a
dose of 100 mg/kg body weight showed a moderate hepatoprotective effect by reducing serum AST
levels (p < 0.05). The levels of serum AST, ALP, ALT, and GGT were significantly increased in CCl4-
treated birds compared to the control group, reflecting carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage.
The VALE + CCl4 group showed a significantly higher amount of ALP compared to birds treated
with carbon tetrachloride, suggesting a hepatoprotective effect. To conclude, Vernonia amygdalina
aqueous extract can be used to confer protection against hepatotoxicity, which can induce severe
hepatocellular damage in birds.
Description
Animals 2021, 11, 3371, pg 1-11
Keywords
Vernonia amygdalina, CCl4, oxidative stress, hepatoprotection, broilers, Amegnona Agbonon, University of Lomé, Togo, CERSA
Citation
DOI: 10.3390/ani11123371