Effects of Methanolic Extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F Seed on some Haematological and Kidney Function Parameters in Rats following Single or Repeated Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication.

Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F seed on male rats following single (acute) or repeated (chronic) carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Methods: Male albino rats were divided into groups of six each consisting of plant extract only, plant extract + carbon tetrachloride, solvent only, solvent + carbon tetrachloride, vitamin E only, vitamin E + carbon tetrachloride and untreated control. The rats in the acute experiment received the extract (5mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for two days, and 1 hour after administration of CCl4 (0.6ml/kg body weight) on the third day, while those in the chronic experimental model received 2.5mg/kg for 10 consecutive days with 72 hourly administration of CCl4 at 0.3ml/kg. Results: In the acute model, the level of total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in D. reflexa seed extract pre-treated rats compared to the CCl4 control, while in the chronic model, the level of packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin were significantly (P<0.05) boosted in extract treated group compared to the CCl4 control group with concomitant reduction in the levels of bilirubin. Conclusion: These results indicate that the seed of D. reflexa possess capacity to boost haematological parameters and protect the kidney against acute and chronic toxicological challenges.

Toxic Effects of Sub-Chronic Administration of Chloroform Extract of Artemisia maciverae Linn on the Kidney of Swiss Albino Rats.

The nephrotoxic potential of sub-chronic doses of chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae Linn was studied in male Swiss albino rats. The groups were respectively administered chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt for 60 days and then monitored till day 90 before sacrifice. Sera samples were analyzed for urea and creatinine. The kidneys were subjected to histological examination after staining with hematoxyline-eosin. At the onset of treatment, the extract caused statically significant (p<0.05) elevation in serum urea and creatinine. The mean (+SD) levels of serum urea at the onset of treatment with 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract were 29.6+ 1.10, 54.1+4.40, 81.6+8.50 and 132.1+6.10mg/dL respectively, while that of serum creatinine were 0.5+0.10, 0.8+0.10, 1.2+0.10 and 1.3+0.30mg/dL respectively. The elevations in serum urea levels returned to normal after the onset of treatment, but that of creatinine persisted. Thirty days after withdrawal of treatment, the levels of serum urea in the 0, 50 and 100 mg/kg treatment groups were found to be 30.1+2.00, 32.1+ 2.00 and 33.3+1.30mg/dL respectively, while that of serum creatinine were found to be 0.6+0.10, 1.2+0.10 and 1.2+0.10mg/dL respectively. Microscopically, tubular epithelial necrosis was observed in the treated animals in the early stages, but the renal injuries disappeared at the later stage. These results suggest that chloroform extract of Artemisia maciverae may be nephrotoxic at high doses.