Biochemical effect of monkey tail on albino rabbits

Abstract

Monkey tail is an addictive alcoholic drink made from fermented combo of marijuana leaves or seeds and dry/local gin. This study examined the effect of alcoholic concoction of marijuana leaves on blood chemistries of albino rabbits. Sixteen rabbits weighing 1.5 – 2.0 kg were randomly allocated into four groups and orally administered 2.5 ml/kg body weight daily of the marijuana concoction for 0, 10, 20 and 30 days respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations of the treated animals. The serum AST and ALT activities increased significantly (p<0.05) with increase in the duration of treatment. There were generally no significant (p>0.05) differences in the kidney function parameters of the animals over the treatment duration. Histological analysis of the liver and kidney tissues of the animal administered monkey tail for 30 days showed evidence of fatty liver and acute interstitial nephritis respectively. The results showed that monkey tail on prolonged consumption could have negative hepatic and renal effects in animals with mild alterations in the lipid profile.