Abstract
The study examined the effect of feeding albino rats with 25, 50, and 75% Palmyrah Palm (Borassus aethiopum) shoots with respect to their body weight, liver and kidney function indices. Standard methods of biochemical analyses were employed using albino rats as the experimental animals. No mortality was observed in the LD50 test throughout the period of 48 h. Rats fed with 25 and 50% B. aethiopum shoots showed a gradual increase in the body weight throughout the period of treatment, but those fed with 75% of the shoots experienced a significant (p>0.05) decrease in body weight at the 3rd and 4th week of treatment compared to the control group. The results also showed changes in the serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and bilirubin but were not significantly different (p>0.05) compared to the control group. The serum enzymes activities that is aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (p>0.05) elevated compared to the control group which suggested toxicity induced by some of the phytocompounds present in the feed. Serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, and electrolytes (Na+, K+) of rats fed with 75% B. aethiopum shoots showed significant (p>0.05) changes compared to the control group. The results showed that B. aethiopum shoots have a relatively low or no toxicity. Key words: Borassus aethiopum, shoots, albino rats, liver function, kidney function.  
Highlights
Food is no doubt the most basic necessity for one to effectively function in his ecosystem
The data obtained was statistically analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS version 10.0 statistical package and the results reported as mean ± standard deviation of the values
Acute toxicity test of B. aethiopum shoots produced no mortality after 48 h of observation
Summary
Food is no doubt the most basic necessity for one to effectively function in his ecosystem. It is a substance that often composed of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and water, which are eaten or drunk by animals or humans for nutrition (Wasagu et al, 2013). The constituent in food contains important chemical substances known as nutrients. These constituents are ingested, digested, absorbed and circulated in the blood streams to feed the cells that constitute body building blocks. The increase in body resistance to diseases and faster recovery of illnesses is witnessed (Worthinghton-Roberts, 2008). Most of the foods consumed by humans are sourced from plants and animals; the former has been grouped
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
