Abstract
The possible hepatotoxic effects of chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae was evaluated biochemically and histologically using male Swiss albino rats, randomly assigned into four groups of 24 animals each. The groups (control, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) were treated for 60 days and then monitored for another 30 days before sacrifice. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin (total and direct), total protein and albumin were assessed colorimetrically, while tissue specimens were subjected to histological examination following standard hematoxyline-eosin staining techniques. After 1 week of treatment, the extract caused statistically significant elevation in levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin (total and direct), while there was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of serum total protein and albumin at the onset of treatment when compared with the control. These abnormalities in the levels of serum biochemical parameters were spontaneously corrected within 2 weeks of treatment. Similarly, histological assessment showed severe hepatic tissue injuries after 1 week, but these organs recovered spontaneously by the second week of treatment. The results indicate that long-term exposure to therapeutic doses of chloroform extract of A maciverae is relatively safe, but high dose exposure may result in hepatocellular injury.