K. Dasofunjo, O. F. C. Nwodo,O. E. Yakubu, R. Ejoba, R. U. Ukpanukpong, S. S. Ipav, M. N. Ugwu, A. I. Okafor and Ezugwu H. C.
In the risk assessment and safety evaluation of the effect of the ethanol leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii on kidney functional indices on male Wistar albino rats. Leaves of P. thonningii were air dried pulverised and extracted using ethanol. Twenty (20) male albino Wistar rats were allowed to acclimatize to laboratory handling and conditions for seven (7) days, following which they were randomly assigned into four (4) study groups A,B,C, and D based on average body weight. Rats in groups B, C, and D were orally administered by gavage with 50, 100, and 200mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. Rats in group A served as the control and were administered with distilled water only for administration, the rats were then sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture. Blood and the (kidney) were obtained for analysis, using standard method and kits. (p< 0.05) . Serum electrolyte analysis also revealed a significant (p< 0.05) decrease in Ca2+ , Cl- , HCO3- , and uric acid while a significant (p< 0.05) reduction was observed on serum PO42- , K+ at various dosage of P. thonningii leaf extract administered. Likewise, the extract also produced a significant increase (p< 0.05) on serum creatinine at 100, 200mg/kg body weight. The extract produced a significant increase (p< 0.05) on serum (ALP) alkaline phosphatase while a significant decrease (p< 0.05) was observed with kidney (ALP) alkaline phosphatase, (ALT) alanine amino transferase, and (AST) aspartate amino transferase. The spectrum of changes in the biochemical and clinical indices of the renal functions due to the administered ethanol leaf extract of Pilliostigma thonningii are manifestations of nephropathy and kidney malfunction.
