EFFECT OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF EUPHORBIA HETEROPHYLLA ON KIDNEY, LIVER AND PANCREATIC FUNCTIONS AND PLASMA ELECTROLYTES IN RABBITS

Abstract

Although the use of Euphorbia heterophylla as herbal laxative in Nigeria is associated with severe and sometimes life - threatening side effects, not much is known about the toxic effect of the herb. This study was designe d to assess the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant on some vital organ functions in rab bits. Three groups of rabbits ( six rabbits/group s ) were used. Two groups received either 10 mg or 20 mg of aqueous extract/kg body weight for 18 days via oro - ga stric route. Members of the third group received saline and served as controls. On the 18 th day, the rabbits were sacrificed following an overnight fast and blood samples were collected via the ear veins in heparinised bottles for plasma preparation. The k idney, liver and pancreas were quickly dissected out and weighed portions were used in preparation of tissue homogenates for biochemical analysis. Using standard procedures, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) gamma glutamyl transferas e (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), electrolytes (Na + , K + and Cl ), blood urea nitro gen (BUN), creatinine, total proteins and albumin were assayed either in tissues or in plasma or both. The results obtained showed that the extract significantly and dose - dependently decreased plasma Na + , urea and creatinine , while plasma Cl and K + were significantly elevated relative to control (P < 0.05). T he extract also significantly increased fasting blood glucose and plasma amylase (P < 0.05). On the other hand, pan creatic protein and pancreatic amylase were significantly decreased. The plasma levels of GGT, AST and ALP were significantly higher in the extract - treated rabbits , while the activities of the en zymes were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05). A LT did not follow a definite pattern, initially significantly decreasing in plasma and then increasing at the higher extract dose, while the activity of the enzyme significantly increased dose - dependently in the liver (P < 0.05 ). The extract significantly decreased liver and kidney total protein as well as plasma total protein and plasma albumin (P < 0.05). These results suggest that E. heterophylla may have toxic effects on vi tal organs and may provide a basis for rationalizing the adverse health effects f requently associated with the use of this herbal laxative.