Abstract:
The hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of seeds of Sesamum indicum was investigated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced liver injury in rats. The rats were divided into six (6) groups (A-F) of five each. Graded doses (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) of methanol extracts of seeds of Sesamum indicum (MESI) were administered orally to three different groups (A-C) respectively for seven days prior to CCl₄ injection. Groups D and E received 5mL/kg of physiological saline and 50 iu/kg α-tocopherol respectively using oral gavage while the last group (F) served as the baseline control group. On the 8^th day, animals in all the groups except group F were given carbon tetrachloride (2 mL/kg body weight) in olive oil subcutaneously. Twenty four (24) hours later, blood was collected from all the groups by retro-orbital puncture for liver marker enzyme determination. Liver was excised for histopathology. Results showed significant increase in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in CCl₄ control group (D) when compared with the baseline control group F (p < 0.001). Treatment with MESI (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) prior to CCl₄ administration, significantly protected rats from injury as evident by moderate changes in liver histoarchitecture in groups A-C and significant reduction(p˂ 0.001) in levels of ALT, AST and ALP when compared to the CCl₄ control group. The CCl₄ control group showed marked vacuolar degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and necrosis of hepatic tissue. The methanol seed extract of Sesamum indicum possess hepatoprotective activity.

Keywords: Sesamum indicum, Methanol Extract, Hepatotoxicity, Biochemical Markers, CCl₄.