TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Preamble
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
1.3 Justification
1.4 Aim and Objectives
1.4.1 Aim
1.4.2 Specific objectives
1.5 Null Hypothesis
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Detarium microcarpum. Guill and Perr
2.1.1 Classification of the plant
2.1.2 Description, distribution and habitat of Detarium microcarpum
2.1.3 General uses of Detarium microcarpum plant
2.1.4 Ethno-medicinal uses
2.2 Phytochemical profile of Detarium microcarpum plant
2.3 Pharmacological activities
2.3.1 Antidiabetic activity
2.3.2 Antibacterial and antifungal activities
2.3.3 Antiviral activity
2.3.4 Enzyme inhibition
2.3.5 Antisnake venom activity
2.4. The Liver
2.4.1 Structure and functions
2.4.2 Liver cells
2.4.3 Xenobiotics and liver metabolism
2.4.4 Mechanisms of hepatic injury
2.5 Mode of action of liver toxicants
2.5.1 Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity
2.6 Liver injuries
2.6.1 Cholestatic liver injury
2.6.2 Fatty liver (Steatosis)
2.6.3 Cell death
2.7 Biochemical alterations in hepatic damage
2.7.1 Serum aminotransferase enzymes
2.7.2 Serum alkaline phosphatase
2.7.3 Serum total protein and albumin
2.7.4 Serum bilirubin
2.8 Silymarin
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials
3.1.1 Chemicals/reagents
3.1.2 Plant sample collection and identification
3.1.3 Experimental animals
3.2 Methodology
3.2.1 Preparation of plant sample
3.2.2 Aqueous extract preparation
3.2.3 Fractionation
3.2.4 Qualititative phytochemical analysis
3.2.5 Quantitative phytochemical analysis
3.2.6 In-vitro antioxidant activity
3.2.7 Acute toxicity studies
3.2.8 Induction of liver damage
3.2.9 Experimental design
3.2.10 Biochemical analysis
3.2.11 Determination of oxidative stress parameters
3.3 Statistical Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULT
4.1 Qualitative Screening of Phytochemicals
4.2 Total flavonoid / total phenolic content
4.3 In-vitro Antioxidant Activity
4.3.1 DPPH radical scavenging activity
4.3.2 Reducing power assay
4.3.3 Hydrogen peroxide (H202) radical scavenging activity
4.4 Lethal Dose Determination
4.5 Effect of n-butanol fraction on body weight / organ weight
4.4.1 Effect of n-butanol fraction on body weight
4.4.2 Effect of n-butanol fraction on relative organ weight
4.5 Biochemical Parameters
4.5.1 Effect of n-butanol fraction on serum liver damage biomarkers/liver function parameters in CCl4 induced liver damage in rats
4.5.2 Effect of n-butanol fraction on kidney function parameters of CCl4 induced liver damage in rats
4.6 Oxidative Stress Parameters
4.6.1 Effect of n-butanol fraction on oxidative stress parameters in CCl4 induced liver damage in rats
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSION
CHAPTER SIX
6.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
6.1 SUMMARY
6.2 CONCLUSION
6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCE