Abstract:
Studies have demonstrated that Urtica dioica promotes regeneration of the liver cells following damage by carbon
tetrachloride. This study investigated the effects of Urtica dioica on liver function following acetaminophen overdose.
Mice were divided into eight groups of ten each. Acetaminophen at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05)
reduced red blood cells, neutrophils and albumins while mean corpuscular hemoglobin, lymphocytes, alanine amino
transferase, aspartate amino transferase, prothrombin time and liver pathology were increased. Lactate dehydrogenase
was significantly reduced in acetaminophen 250 mg/kg while acetaminophen 500 mg/kg significantly increased alkaline
phosphatase and total bilirubin. Even after exposure to acetaminophen toxicity, mice pre-treated with Urtica dioica
retained the following parameters within normal range: neutrophils, lymphocytes, alanine amino transferase, and liver
integrity. Mice co-treated with the drug cimetidine had all parameters within normal except for aspartate amino transferase
at acetaminophen dose of 500 mg/kg. The result suggests that Urtica dioica and cimetidine are both hemoprotective and
hepatoprotective. They have potential in the management of acetaminophen toxicit
