Reduction in Serum Bilirubin Concentration Following Administration of Crude Leaf Extract of Viscum album (Mistletoe) in High Salt Fed Rats

Abstract

Aims: This study was designed to determine the effect of a high salt diet on serum bilirubin concentration and to ascertain the impact of treatment with Viscum album on same. Methodology: Twenty male albino wistar rats weighing 150 200g were used for this study. After seven days of habituation, the animals were randomly divided into four (4) groups of five rats each. Group 1 (NC) served as control and were fed with normal rat pellet and water; group 2(NT) served as the control treated group (administered 150 mg/kg Viscum album orally, in addition to rat pallet and water); group 3 (SF) served as the high salt diet fed group (without treatment), while group 4 (ST) served as the high salt diet fed group, treated orally with 150 mg/kg Viscum album. The feeding regimen lasted for six weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for analysis. Results: Mean serum total bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the SF group compared to control, NT and ST group. It was also significantly (p<0.001) lower Original Research Article British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(3): 352-361, 2014 353 in the ST group compared to SF group. Serum conjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) increased in the SF group compared to NC, NT and ST group. It was also significantly (p<0.001) reduced in the ST group compared to the SF group. Serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) increased in the SF group compared to NC, NT and ST group. Serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.01) lower in the ST group compared to SF group. Conclusion: Our results are indicative of the fact that oral administration of Viscum album reduces serum bilirubin concentration in high salt fed animals.