Toxicological and Biochemical Studies of
Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Adenopus
breviflorus (Lagenaria breviflora Roberty)
in Male Albino Wistar Rats

M.E. Balogu; A.F. Ajayi; O.J. Oji; E.E. Besong; E. Finbarrs-Bello2; M.A. Folawiyo

Abstract

Toxicological and Biochemical Studies of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Adenopus breviflorus (Lagenaria breviflora Roberty) in Male Albino Wistar Rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the toxicological and biochemical effects of administration of ethanolic fruit extract of Adenopus breviflorus (EEAB) on some liver and kidney parameters of albino rats. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the fruit of A. breviflorus sample. The effect of the extract on the histology of the liver tissues was also investigated. Thirty (30) male albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6) rats each. Group 1 served as the control and was administered 2mL distilled water. The remaining groups received 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg/ b.w.t/day of EEAB respectively orally over a period of 56 days. The animals were sacrificed twenty four hours after administration on the fifty sixth day. Liver and blood samples were collected and biochemical indices such as alanine transaminase-ALT, aspartate transaminase- AST, alkaline phosphatase-ALP, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and globulin assays were determined in the serum using standard techniques. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and the level of significance was at P=0.05. The extract significantly increased (P=0.05) the serum levels of urea, creatinine, and total bilirubin in all the treatment groups when compared to the control in dose-dependent manner except in animals administered 500mg/kg/ b.w.t of EEAB. Similar results were observed for serum activity of ALP, ALT, and AST. However, a significant decreased was observed in the serum level of albumin, globulin, and total protein in all treated groups except in group 2 animals. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins (triterpenoids). The LD50 of the ethanolic extract was determined to be above 5000mg/kg BW. Routine H and E histological study revealed features of hepatotoxicity. The study suggests that ethanolic extract of A. breviflorus predisposes the animals to adverse effects and it was therefore concluded that the extract could be safe at the tested dosage of 500mg/kg body weight but hepatotoxic at higher doses.