Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Orijin bitters, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale roscoe
are consumed for medicinal properties and their effects were evaluated in this study on adult
wistar rats’ liver.
METHODOLOGY: Thirty rats were divided into 6 groups, 5 in each. Group 1 received distilled
water, group 2, 70cl/70kg/bw orijin bitters, group 3 orijin bitters and 200mg/kg/bw Hibiscus
sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract, group 4 orijin bitters and 500mg/kg/bw Hibiscus sabdariffa
calyx aqueous extract, group 5 orijin bitters and 200mg/kg/bw officinale rhizome aqueous
extract, group 6 orijin bitters and 500mg/kg/bw Zingiber officinale rhizome aqueous extract.
After administration, the rats were sacrificed and the liver harvested for biochemical and
histological analysis.
RESULTS: Aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphate increased in group 2 while
alanine transaminase decreased. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase
increased in most treatment groups while alkaline phosphate decreased. P < 0.05 was
considered statistically significant. Orijin bitters distorted the liver tissue while Hibiscus
sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale roscoe extracts resulted in restoration.
CONCLUSION: Orijin bitters may possess toxicity to the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx and
Zingiber officinale roscoe rhizome due to antioxidants present ameliorated the effect
