EFFECT OF CRUDE EXTRACT OF MENTHA SUAVEOLENS ON THE LIVER ENZYMES OF MALE ALBINO WISTARRATS EXPOSED TO LEAD ACETATE TRIHYDRATE

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of crude leaf extract of Mentha suaveolens on the liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) of male albino Wistar rats exposure to lead acetate trihydrate. Twenty-five male albino Wistar rats weighting between 170-19Omg/kg body were assigned and to five groups of five animals in each group. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were exposed to 120mg/kg body weight of lead acetate via oral gavage for 14 days. Thereafter, the rats in groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated with 500mg/kg. 1000mg/kg and 150mg/kg respectively of Mentha suaveolens leaf extracts. Group 5 served as the normal control and was not exposed to the heavy metals and extract. All the rats had free. access to rat chow and water ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. After 21 days’ treatment, the rats were subjected to overnight fasting. Thereafter, they were sacrificed and blood collected via cardiac puncture into plain sample tubes, allowed to clot, spurned and serum obtained for enzyme assay. The result of enzyme assay revealed that lead acetate trihydrate significantly increased the parameter activity of the liver biomarker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP). Administration of crude extract of Mentha suaveolens significantly ameliorated the condition by reducing the level of these enzymes. This suggested that the extract posses hepatoprotective effect which could be used in effective management of hepatic related complications.