CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The use of medicinal plants has played a major role in nearly every culture on the earth. Herbal medicine was practiced by ancient people of Africa, Asia, Europe and America as an alternative resort to the prevention and cure of illnesses (Iwu, et al. 1989).
The consumption of a variety of local herbs and vegetable by man is believed to contribute immensely to the improvement of human health in terms of prevention and/or cure of diseases because plant have long served as useful and rational source of therapeutic agents (Okwu, et al. 2005)
Medicinal plants have formed the basis of health care throughout the world since the earliest days of human and have remained relevant in both in developing and developed nations of the world for the various chemotherapeutic purposes. The use of plant derived natural compounds as part of herbal preparation for alternate source of medication continues to play a major role in chemotherapy especially in the third world countries (Okwu, et al. 1999).
1.2 Objective of the Study
The objective of this project work is to ascertain the effect of methanol leaves extract of Dennettia tripetala.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Poor financial statue is one of the major constraints encountered in the study which was a great hindrance.
1.4 Justification of the Study
This research work will justify or disapprove whether methanol leaf extract of Dennettia tripetala has any effect on the liver markers Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT) of Albino rats.
1.5 Limitation of the study
This project work is limited to the effect of methanol leaf extract of Mmimi on liver marker enzymes which include: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT)of Albino rats.