Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical effects on the liver and kidney of rats administered aqueous stem bark extract of Xemenia americana

A. U. Wurochekke*, A. E. Anthony and W. Obidah

Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:wchekke@yahoo.co.uk.

Accepted 3 July, 2008

The effects of aqueous extract of ximenia Americana stem bark on liver and kidney of albino rats was investigated. Different doses of the crude extract were administered to rats for 30 consecutive days. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of treated animals significantly (p<0.05) increased compared to the control group. High levels of these enzymes observed were found to be dose dependent. The serum level of protein of treated animals showed significant (p<0.05) decrease compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of urea and creatinine of the treated animals compared to the control. The data obtained is suggestive of liver damage and unaffected kidney.

Key words: Ximenia americana, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine.