Liver Function Analyses and Spleen Histology Assessment Following the Co-administration of Cisplatin and Methanolic Extract of Portulaca Oleracea in Wistar Rats: An Experimental Study

This study investigated the biochemical and histological changes associated with the co-administration of cisplatin and methanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea (MEPO) in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups (A-F) (n = 4). Group A served as the control group for the experiment and received no treatment. Group B was given a single dose of cisplatin and served as the cisplatin control group. Group C and D received 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of MEPO 6 hours after a single dose cisplatin injection respectively. Group E and F received 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of MEPO 6 hours before cisplatin injection. The cisplatin injection was 2 mL/kg given intraperitoneally for all groups. There was a significant increase in the serum levels of ALT, ALP, AST, total bilirubin, and conjugated bilirubin following cisplatin treatment (p = 0.000, 0.000, 0.039, 0.000, 0.004 respectively) with a consequent reversal due to MEPO administration across all treated groups (p = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, and 0.000) in a dose-dependent fashion. Cisplatin caused the expansion of the red and white pulp in the spleen which was attenuated by MEPO. MEPO demonstrated a protective effect against cisplatin-induced liver and spleen toxicity.