Abstract
Introduction: Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) is a potent hepatotoxin, carcinogen and mutagen whose toxicity is mediated by its
reactive  metabolites  and  not  by  the  parent  compound.  The  antihepatotoxic  efficacy  of  ethanolic  leaf  extract  of Vernonia
amygdalina against DMN-induced liver damage in rats thus, needs to be investigated.  
Methodology: Rats were given DMN, at a single dose of 12 g/kg body weight orally on day 8 after pretreatment with 400mg/kg
Vernonia amygdalina for 7days and thereafter investigated for toxicity and hepatoprotection 48 hours later.
Result:  DMN  produced  liver  damage  in  rats  as  manifested  by  the  significant  rise  (p?0.05)  in  serum  levels  of  alanine
aminotransferase  (ALT),  total  cholesterol  (TC)  and  decrease  in  serum  total  protein  (TP),  globulin,  albumin,  white  blood  cells
(WBCs),  red  blood  cells  (RBCs),  packed  cell  volume  (PCV),  platelets  and  hemoglobin  (HB)  levels  compared  to  control.
However, Pretreatment of rats with ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (400 mg/kg body weight) once daily for seven
days to DMN treated rats significantly attenuated (p?0.05) the toxicity by DMN.  
Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina having antihepatotoxic properties minimized the deleterious effects
generated by the hepatotoxin, DMN, thereby suggesting its use as a potent antihepatotoxic agent