EFFECT OF SUB-CHRONIC ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF HYDROMETHANOLIC STEM EXTRACT OF COSTUS AFER KER GAWL. (COSTACEAE) ON LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTIONS IN WISTAR RATS

A A Jimoh,B B Maiha,J I Ejiofor,B A Chindo

doi:10.33003/fjs-2020-0402-233

Abstract

The liver and the kidneys are two very important organs in the body and they are responsible for the metabolism and excretion of drugs respectively amongst several other functions. Severe adverse effects on these organs can lead to organ dysfunction or failure and a consequential effect on wellbeing and can even be life-threatening. This study investigated the effects of hydromethanolic stem extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. (Costaceae) on liver and kidney function indices and the histopathology of the organs in Wistar rats. Serum liver enzymes which include: alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and albumin as well as serum urea, creatinine, sodium ions, potassium ions, chloride ions, bicarbonate ions were evaluated in biochemical studies. Sections of the liver and kidneys appropriately treated were examined microscopically for pathological lesions.There were decreased serum levels of ALT and ALP, but serum levels of AST increased at 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses. Serum levels of total protein (TP) and albumin concentration as well as urea and creatinine serum levels were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. However, histological examination of the liver and kidneys revealed slight to moderate hepatic necrosis and slight tubular necrosis respectively especially at 500 and 100 mg/kg doses of the extract. The results showed that the extract may be harmful to the liver and to a lesser extent the kidneys on prolonged administration and therefore it should be used with caution in such instances.

Highlights

In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 60 - 80% of the population rely on traditional medicines and healers as the primary source of healthcare (James et al, 2018)
Some studies on the toxicity of the stem extract on the liver (Ukpabi, et al, 2012) and of the aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer on liver and Kidney (Ezejiofor et al.,2013) of Wistar rats have been reported in literature, there is need for more toxicity studies on this plant in view of the various uses to which it is employed in traditional medicine and due to possible variation in phytochemical constituents of various plant parts as a result of differences in geographical locations, soil type and or climatic conditions
Effects on Biochemical Parameters The hydromethanolic stem extract of Costus afer insignificantly (p>0.05) reduced serum levels of ALT at the tested doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg but not in a dosedependent way, and produced significant (p≤ 0.05) and dosedependent reductions in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) when compared with the control (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 60 - 80% of the population rely on traditional medicines and healers as the primary source of healthcare (James et al, 2018). Numerous bioactive compounds that can ameliorate some diseases and improve the body’s resistance to cellular stress are present in herbal plants (Iwalewa et al, 2007) Some of these bioactive compounds have been used as lead compounds in the manufacture of new drugs and out of the 877 novel medicines that were developed between 1981 and 2006, 6% were of natural products and 16% were synthetics (Newman et al, 2008). Costus afer Ker Gawl., commonly known as gingerlily or bush cane belongs to the family Costaceae. It is one of the 150 species of tall, perennial, and rhizomatous herbs of the genus Costus (Edeoga and Okoli, 2000). The study investigated the effects of sub-chronic oral administration of hydromethanolic stem extract of Costus afer on liver and kidney function indices as well as on the histology of the liver and kidneys of Wistar rats

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