EFFECTS OF ETHANOLIC /POTASH EXTRACT OF SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF SHEATH ON SERUM ELECTROLYTES, LIVER AND KIDNEY INDICATIVE ON ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Toxicity profile on serum electrolytes, hepatic and renal function indices on rats administered with mixture of ethanol/potash extract of sorghum bicolor leaf sheath were investigated. The ethanol/potash extract was dried and re-suspended in distilled water and the following quantities were administered orally to the albino rat per kg body weight: 1000, 2000 and 3000mg; while 0.9% normal saline was served to the control group. The blood was collected through cardiac puncture under chloroform anesthesia after 14 days. There after, the sera were analyzed for sodium (Na⁺), potassium, (K⁺),chloride (Cl^-) ion, urea, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin and cholesterol levels. Serum sodium levels, (176-297  mmol/L) were significantly (p<0.05) increased following extract treatments, while potassium ion decreased (6.54-4.00mmol/L). The extract increased chloride ion concentration (95.8-99.0mmol/L). The serum value for creatinine (0.08-0.32mmol/L) and urea (3.16-38mmol/L) increased progressively; while cholesterol (0.96-0.19mmol/L) and total protein (54.13-17.27g/L) levels, decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared to the control values. No significant change was observed in the value obtained for bilirubin except at dose level of 3000mg/kg body weight. There was a progressive decrease in body weight after 14days administration of the extract. The result showed that the mixture of ethanol/potash extract of sorghum bicolor leaf sheath has been observed in rats under the conditions of this study to be toxic.

Keyword: Sorghum bicolor, ethanol/potash, electrolytes, kidney, liver.