Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International

Aim: Carry out preliminary phytochemical screening of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit mesocarp and to evaluate the ability of the aqueous extract to ameliorate carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by determining liver enzymes, blood parameters and histopathology.
Study Design: Sixty albino rats (Wistar rats) were randomly placed into four groups of fifteen animals: Group 1 (normal control), group 2 ( Untreated CCl₄ –intoxicated group) while groups 3 and 4 are test groups both administered CCl₄ and 0.08 mgkg^-1 and 0.19 mgkg^-1 body weight of concentrated fruit extract respectively orally daily. Administration of CCl₄ was 3 times in a week for 4 weeks at a dose of 1.2 g/kg body weight and plant extract for 3 weeks.
Results: Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of saponin, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides in the fruit mesocarp. Serum total proteins, albumin and conjugated bilirubin were elevated while the liver enzymes activities (alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) were significantly reduced in the test groups 3 and 4 compared to the untreated rats (Group 2). Histological examinations of the rats’ tissues showed reduced inflammation in the liver of the CCl₄-damage rats treated with the extracts when compared to the control and the cell architecture on the 21^st day of the animal treated with extract resembled that of the normal control.
Conclusion: The mesocarp of desert dates ameliorates hepatotoxicity induced by CCl₄ in rats and this study has further added credibility to the ethnobotanical use of the fruit.