Abstract
The effect of ethanol leaf extract of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> on some indices of liver, kidney function and lipid profile in male albino Wistar rats intoxicated with theobromine was investigated. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats weighing between 140 g – 160 g used for the study were divided into 6 groups with 5 animals in each group. Group I served as control while Group 2 received 700 mg/kg bw of theobromine daily for 4 days. Group 3 received 400 mg/kg bw of <i>V. amygdalina</i> leaf extract daily for 21 days while Groups 4 and 5 were treated with 400 mg/kg bw of <i>V. amygdalina</i> leaf extract for 21 days before and after intoxication with 700 mg/kg bw of theobromine for 4 days respectively. Group 6 was given 700 mg/kg bw of theobromine daily for 4 days and then allowed for 21 days without treatment. Serum was obtained from whole blood and used to determine activities of some serum enzymes and lipid profile as well as kidney function. The liver, kidney and heart were excised and used for histological studies. The results show significantly increased serum enzyme activities, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentration in Group 2 compared to the control (P < 0.05). HDL cholesterol was significantly decreased in theobromine treated group when compared to Group 1 (P < 0.05). Administration of <i>V. amygdalina</i> leaf extract alone showed results close to those of the control. Group 4 showed decreased serum enzyme activities, decreased concentration of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while HDL cholesterol was increased significantly when compared to Group 2. Group 5 also showed a significant difference in the biochemical indices when compared to Group 2 while Group 6 show decreased serum enzyme activity that was significant when compared to Group 2. The urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly increased in theobromine intoxicated animals while administration of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> normalised these parameters. Histology of the liver, kidney and heart revealed altered cellular architecture following administration of theobromine (Group 2) while normal histological features were restored after treatment with ethanol leaf extract of <i>V. amygdalina</i>. The study has demonstrated that ethanol leaf extract of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> ameliorate and protect liver, kidney and heart of male albino Wistar rats against theobromine induced toxicity and modulates the adverse effects on lipid profile.
Highlights
Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitterleaf, is a shrub, 2 – 5 meters in height with petiolate green leaves of about 6 mm diameter [1]
The effect of ethanol leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on lipid profile, liver and kidney function of albino Wistar rats intoxicated with theobromine is presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3 respectively
The present study demonstrated that serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST and alkaline phosphate (ALP)) were elevated following the administration of theobromine to the experimental animals
Summary
Commonly called bitterleaf, is a shrub, 2 – 5 meters in height with petiolate green leaves of about 6 mm diameter [1]. It thrives on a wide range of ecological zones such as Afro-montane rainforest, evergreen bush land and sometimes forming clumps in upland wooded grassland as well as in lowland humid rangeland, savannah. The proximate composition of V. amygdalina has revealed significant quantities of lipids [4, 5], proteins with high essential amino acid score [6, 5] that compare favourably with values reported for Telfairia occidentalis and Talinum triangulare [7], carbohydrates [4] and fibre [5]. The plant has been shown to contain appreciable quantities of ascorbic acid, carotenoids [6, 4], calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and cobalt [3,4,5]
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