PHYTOCHEMICALS AND TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HERBAL DRINK (HD) ON LIVER AND KIDNEY IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Herbal medicine use is on the increase worldwide and many studies have associated their use with hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Herbal drink (HD) is a commercial herbal supplement mainly used in Uganda. In this study, we evaluated the phytochemical composition, and acute and sub-chronic toxicological effects of HD on hepatorenal integrity in Wistar rats. Modified Lorke’s method was employed in the acute toxicity study. For the sub-chronic toxicity study, a total of sixteen (N= 16) Wistar rats were randomly allotted to four groups of four rats each (n=4). Normal control group, NC (normal dose equivalent of distilled water), Group T1 (half normal dose of HD), Group T2 (normally recommended dose equivalent of HD),and Group T3 (twice normal recommended dose of HD). All treatments were done by intragastric gavage for a period of twentyeight days. Phytochemical analysis of HD showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and carbohydrates. The animals were able to tolerate a dose of up to 5000 mg/Kg. It was demonstratedthat continuous twenty-eight-day treatment with HD does not significantly (p>0.0 alter kidney and liver function parametersin Wistar rats. This observation concurs with the histopathological findings of the liver and kidney tissues which showed no remarkable histomorphological alterations. Regular intake of HD does not have any significant toxic effects on the liver and kidney in Wistar rats.