EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Citrullus lanatus (Water melon) SEED ON THE LIVER OF ETHANOL TREATED ADULT WISTAR RATS BY Anthony Bazabang SEBASTINE, [BSc. (ABU) 2010] M.Sc./MED/21415/2012-2013 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HUMAN ANATOMY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN ANATOMY FACULTY OF MEDICINE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA OCTOBER, 2016 i DECLARATION I, ANTHONY, BAZABANG SEBASTINE, declare that this dissertation titled ‗‗Effect of Aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus (water melon) seed on the liver of ethanol treated adult Wistar rats” was carried out by me in the Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The information used for my literature review was fully acknowledged in the text and references. To the best of my knowledge, no part of this dissertation has been presented elsewhere for this degree or diploma at any University. ______________ __________ Anthony Bazabang SEBASTINE Signature Date ii CERTIFICATION This is to certify that this dissertation titled, ―Effect of Aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus (water melon) seed on the liver of ethanol treated adult Wistar rats” under our supervision meets the regulations governing the award of degree of Master of Science in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and is approved for its contribution to knowledge and literacy presentation. Prof. S.S Adebisi (B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.) __________________ ___________ Chairman Supervisory Committee, Signature Date Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Dr. (Mrs.) J.N Alawa (B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.) _________________ ___________ Member Supervisory Committee, Signature Date Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Prof. S.S.Adebisi (B.Sc, M.Sc., Ph.D.) _______________ ___________ Head of Department, Signature Date Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Prof. Kabiru Bala ____________ ____________ Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Signature Date Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to Almighty God, my beloved mother Mrs. Theresa Sebastine and to all suffering from different types of liver diseases. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I hereby wish to tender my immeasurable appreciation and thanks to Almighty God for sparing my life throughout the programme. My profound gratitude goes to my Supervisor Prof. S.S Adebisi for his time, patience, encouragement, support and guidance and corrections during the course of my work. This work would not have been possible without your contribution. Worthy of mention is my other Supervisor Dr. (Mrs.) J.N. Alawa who contributed immensely to the accomplishment of this work. Your constructive criticisms and inputs is deeply appreciated ma. I sincerely thank Mr. Bamidele Adetiba, Mr. J.D. Yaro, Mr. peter akpulu and the entire staff of the histology laboratory, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for assisting in the histological aspect of the work, Mr. Aliyu of the department of Biochemistry for helping in the aspect of protein concentration of the liver and Dr. Ibrahim A. Iliya for helping with the photomicrography and interpretation of the slides. I want to profoundly acknowledge the effort and contribution of the Head of Department of Human Anatomy in person of Prof. S.S. Adebisi in the success and completion of this dissertation. The postgraduate lecturers in the Department of Human Anatomy also played significant role towards my programme and deserve commendation. Thank you to Dr. B. Danborno, Dr. W.O Hamman, Dr. U.E. Umana, Dr. A. Ibegbu, Dr. I.A. Iliya, Dr. J.A. Timbuak and Dr. S.A Musa for the knowledge impacted in me and my colleagues. I also acknowledge the administrative and non-academic staff of the department for their roles in the course of my research. v With lots of love I appreciate the care, support, encouragement and assistance I received from my mother Mrs. Theresa Sebastine and my siblings Miss Appolonia Sebastine, Mr. Simeon Sebastine, Rev. Fr. Vincent Sebastine and Mr. Andrew Sebastine. I cherish and adore you all. A special thanks to my friends and classmates for their companionship, cooperation and assistance in one way or the other. Space will not permit me to mention other names, but I must appreciate my very dear friends David Dangoji, Makena Wusa, Juliet Ijeoma Naneh, Monday Nwankwo, Mathew Twan, Ahmed Hassan, Isaac Joseph, Donald Ayemoba, Thaddeus Tanko, and Ikechukwu Haruna,. Thank you for the moments we shared together, I treasure you all. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i Declaration------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii Certification----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii Dedication ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv Acknowledgement --------------------------------------------------------------------------- v Table of Contents----------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii List of Tables---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x List of Figures--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi Abstract------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xiv 1.0 INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 1.1 Background of the Study--------------------------------------------------------- 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem--------------------------------------------------------- 4 1.3 Justification ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.4 Aim and objectives --------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.4.1 Aims of the Study------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.4.2 Objectives of the Study ----------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.5 Significance of the Study---------------------------------------------------------- 6 1.6 Study Hypothesis------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ------------------------------------------------------ 7 2.1 LIVER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 vii 2.1.1 Embryology of the liver ------------------------------------------------------------ 8 2.1.2 Gross Anatomy of the Liver ----------------------------------------------------- 9 2.1.3 Histology of the Liver ------------------------------------------------------------ 11 2.1.4 Functions of the Liver ---------------------------------------------------------- 13 2.2 Hepatotoxicity -------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 2.2.1 Hepatotoxicity due to ethanol ---------------------------------------------------- 15 2.2.2 Incidence of Hapatotoxicity ------------------------------------------------------ 16 2.2.3 Causes of Hepatotoxicity ---------------------------------------------------------- 17 2.2.4 Drugs used in the treatment of Hepatotoxicity ----------------------------------- 24 2.3 ALCOHOL ---------------------------------------------------------- --------------- 26 2.3.1 Alcoholism --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 2.3.2 Effects of Alcohol on Mitochondrial Biomolecules ---------------------------- 27 2.3.3 Pharmacokinetics ------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 2.3.4 Alcohol Effects on the Liver ------------------------------------------------------ 32 2.3.5 Liver Diseases ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 2.4 Citrullus lanatus -------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 2.4.1 Taxonomy of Citrullus lanatus------------------------------------------------------ -36 2.4.2 Origin and distribution of Citrullus lanatus--------------------------------------- 37 2.4.3 Morphology of Citrullus lanatus -------------------------------------------------- ---37 2.4.4 Phytochemistry of Citrullus lanatus ---------------------------------------------- ---38 2.4.5 Pharmacological studies of Citrullus lanatus ----------------------------------- ---39 2.4.6 Toxicological studies of Citrullus lanatus --------------------------------------- ---43 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY 3.1 MATERIALS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---45 3.1.1 Experimental Animals -------------------------------------------------------------- ---45 3.1.2 Experimental Plant ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---45 viii 3.1.3 Drugs and reagents ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---45 3.1.4 Equipment ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---46 3.2 Methods ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---44 3.2.1 Extraction of Plant ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---44 3.2.2 Experimental design ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---47 3.2.3 Morphological studies -------------------------------------------------------------- ---48 3.2.4 Biochemical studies -----------------------------------------------------------------