Antihepatotoxic properties of Entada africana (Mimosaceae)

The effect of Entada africana extracts on carbon tetrachloride (CCl<INF>4</INF>)-induced acute liver damage was evaluated. Plasma enzyme levels, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase, hepatic 5'-nucleotidase activity and triglyceride levels increased with CCl<INF>4</INF> administration, were lowered by pretreatment with Entada extracts. The results of this study showed that Entada, according to its therapeutic indication in various liver diseases in traditional medicine, could afford a protective action against CCl<INF>4</INF>-induced hepatocellular injury. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.