Biochemical and Histomorphometric Assessment of Aqueous Cola Nitida Seeds Extract Administration in Brain and Kidney of Wistar Rats

Abstract

The side effects of orthodox drugs used in treatment of high blood pressure and hypertension has prompted inquiry into the use of plants and herbal remedies believed to be safe with no serious side effects as alternatives in the treatment. This study aims to evaluate the  effects of 28-day Cola nitida seeds[CNS]aqueous extract dose[through oral gavage] on biochemical parametres, nephrotoxic potentials  and tissue damage among others; in female wistar rats alongside a standard diuretic drug-Furosemide. Twenty five female wistar rats were assigned into five groups of five each: 1, 2, 3, 4and 5  which received orally 0.9% of normal saline, 40mg furosemide [standard], 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight of the CNS aqueous extract respectively for 28 days. The toxicity on the kidney and serum was correlated with changes in the alanine, aspartate aminotransferases activity [ALT&AST] and in their serum and homogenized kidney samples. Biochemical indices of organ damage and toxicity were determined using standard methods. The result showed the activities of kidney and serum ALT and AST were significantly altered in rats of the 800mg/kg [P>0.05] after aqueous extract of CNS administration. Student t-test and One-way Anova was used for the statistical analysis and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The treatment related alterations in the present study indicates that the aqueous extract of CNS at the experimental doses caused no functional toxicity on the activities of serum ALT levels in their kidneys and serum. However, histopathological changes to the hippocampus was observed in the 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg group while interstitial nephritis was observed  in the kidneys of rats from standard[reference drug] and all CNS groups.