HEPATO-MODULATORY EFFECTSOF HYMENOCARDIA ACIDA ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACTS ON LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN FEMALE RATS.

ABSTRACT Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a key enzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism and serves as an important biomarker of tissue damage, including liver injury. Hymenocardia acida, a plant commonly used in African traditional medicine, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective potential. This study aims to evaluate the hepatomodulatory effects of Hymenocardia acida ethanol leaf extract on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in ketamine hydrochloride-induced liver injury in female rats. The leaves and stem back of Hymenocardia Acida were dried and ground into fine powder. The powder was extracted with ethanol using soxhlet apparatus. The extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and freeze-dried to obtain solid extracts.In this experiment, a total of forty-five male Wistar rats were used and divided into nine (9)groups of five (5) rats each per group. The rats were euthanize and the tissue sample were dissected and raised with an ice cold PBS and weigh using a weighing balance. The tissue sample and buffer were then added to the homogenizer using a laboratory tight fitting pestle. The ketamine (KTM 75 mg/kg) group showed a significant increase (P < 0.0001) in LDH levels compared to the normal control (10 mg/kg saline), indicating cellular damage. Diazepam (DZP 50 mg/kg) had no significant effect on LDH levels compared to ketamine (ns). The protective effect is likely mediated through its rich antioxidant phytochemicals, capable of mitigating oxidative stress and preserving liver integrity. These findings suggest that H. acida could serve as a promising candidate for developing phytotherapeutic agents against drug-induced hepatotoxicity.