EFFECTS OF GYNURA PROCUMBENS EXTRACT ON LIVER FUNCTION TEST OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA INDUCED RABBITS

Antioxidant works against oxidant and free radicals is by donating electrons it encompasses to the radical molecules and therefore neutralising the oxidation process in the biological system. Hypercholesterolemia has been identified as one the primary predisposing factor for chronic health diseases in most industrial and developed countries.Hypercholesterolemia contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Gynura procumbens is not toxic and exhibit anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and wound healing properties where the extract of this plant contains active chemical constituents such as tannins, terpenoids, sterol glycoside, saponins and flavonoids. New Zealand White Rabbits were fed with high cholesterol diet for ten weeks. Liver weight and serum liver function test (LFT) including ALP, ALT, AST and GGT were determined and analyzed. Rabbits that were given high cholesterol diet show the symptom of liver injury. ALP, ALT, AST and GGT levels indicate the liver injury. Liver injury of rabbits that were supplemented with Gynura procumbens extracts were reduced compared to rabbits that were given high cholesterol diet but not given any supplement of extract.  ALP, ALT, AST and GGT level on rabbits were given the extract were improved compared to HCD.  Supplementation of the extract lowered the levels of liver enzymes compared to the HCD.