Effect of Citrullus colocynthis Rind Ethanol Extract on Serum ALT, AST and ALP Activities in Rats Fed Crude-Oil-Contaminated Diet

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of ethanol extract of Citrullus colocynthis rind on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in rats fed a crude-oil-contaminated diet. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups of five rats each. Group 1 served as the positive control and received grower’s mash, while Group 2 received a crude-oil-contaminated diet without treatment. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed a crude-oil-contaminated diet for 28 days. Following completion of the exposure period, the crude-oil-contaminated diet was discontinued and replaced with a normal diet, while the animals were administered 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of C. colocynthis rind ethanol extract, respectively, for an additional 28 days. Serum liver enzyme activities were determined using standard biochemical methods. Data were analysed at a significance level of p < 0.05. The untreated crude oil-exposed group showed marked elevations in ALT (137.72 U/L), AST (93.30 U/L) and ALP (385.41 U/L) compared with the control group, indicating alterations in hepatic enzyme activities. Administration of the extract produced progressive reductions in enzyme activities. The 600 mg/kg treatment produced the greatest attenuation, reducing ALT, AST and ALP activities to 107.82, 72.50 and 344.41 U/L, respectively. The findings indicated that ethanol extract of C. colocynthis rind attenuated crude-oil-associated elevations in serum enzyme activities, with the attenuating effect becoming more pronounced as the treatment dose increased. The study therefore indicated that C. colocynthis rind has the potential to attenuate crude-oil-induced increases in serum enzyme activities.