Abstract
This study investigates the effect of fourteen (14) -day administration ofTelfairia occidentalis root, pod and stem aqueous extracts on rats. Sixty four (64) Wister albino rats of both sexes were assigned to sixteen (16) groups of 4 animals per group. Different groups received distilled water and, root, stem, and pod extracts at the doses of 250, 750, 1500, 2250, and 3000mg/kg of body weight. All animals were treated for 14 days and sacrificed on the 15th day. The biochemical assay results show that the root extract caused significant decreases in the activities of alanine amino transferses (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) at lower concentrations (250mg/kg and 750mg/kg), while the stem extract showed significant increase in their activities at 3000mg/kg. The pod extract had no effect on ALT and AST. Also the stem extract showed significant increase in the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reduction in the concentration of serum sodium ion. Serum creatinine (not urea) was elevated when the pod extract was administered at the lowest dose (250mg/kg). Conversely, the stem extract caused a reduction in the concentration of creatinine at 250-, 750- and 1500mg/kg. There was no significant effect on serum total protein and albumin by all the extracts. The stem extract showed a significant increase in the liver- body weight ratio when administered at 750mg/kg and 1500mg/kg dosage. Thus, while Telfairia occidentalis root, pod, and stem extracts may have varying protective and toxic effects on liver and kidney function parameters, their effects may be dosage- and duration- dependent.© JASEM
Highlights
Telfairia occidentalis (Family: Curcubitaceae) is a popular leafy vegetable grown in Nigeria and other West African countries for its edible leaves and seed
Adaramoye et al (2007) reported a hypolipidemic effect of Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted Pumpkin) in rats fed cholesterol-rich diet, which they suggested might be mediated through reduction of oxidative stress and cholesterol levels
The reduction in activities of serum ALT and AST by root extract at the doses of 250mg/kg bw and 750mg/kg bw may be an indication that short term administration of increased dose of the root extract on ALT and AST activities as reported by Ogbonnaya and Uadia (2013) correlates with a lower dose administration over a longer period
Summary
Telfairia occidentalis (Family: Curcubitaceae) is a popular leafy vegetable grown in Nigeria and other West African countries for its edible leaves and seed. This study tries to ascertain the short term effect of the T. occidentalis root, pod and stem extracts on some liver and kidney function parameters. Collection and Preparation of Plant Materials: Telfairia occidentalis roots stem, and pods were collected from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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