TOXICITY STUDIES AND EFFECT OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA ON THE RENAL FUNCTION IN MALE ALBINO RATS

摘要

The toxicity of aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana in rats was investigated. Acute toxicity wascarried out to determine the 50 of the plant's extract. The extracts were administered orally up to a doseof 5000mg/kg for the 50 determination. No death was recorded during the acute toxicity test, which mayimply that the plant is practically non-toxic. There was a progressive significant reduction (p0.05) in serumsodium and potassium ions concentration with increasing doses of the extract above 10 mg/kg whencompared with the control group in phase one. A significant change in urea was also observed at a dose of100 and 1000mg/Kg respectively. In phase two, there was a slight increase in potassium, urea, and creatinineas well. Indeed, creatinine is known as a good indicator of renal function. The kidney functional indices:serum concentrations of creatinine, bicarbonate, and chloride were not significantly changed followingacute administration of aqueous leaf extract (p0.05) when compared with the control group in phase one.The observed progressive decrease in serum sodium and potassium ions as the dose of the extract exceeds10mg/kg might be an indication of this extract could cause hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Accordingly, A.wilkesiana might be considered relatively safe and can be employed in the management of diseases involvedin high sodium and potassium ions in the serum. High doses should be avoided as may affect electrolytesbalance in body fluids.