Abstract

Sclerocarya birrea fruits are widely eaten in developing countries especially in rural areas and serve as nutrients supplements. However, they also contain phyto-toxin which may affect the normal functioning of the body. The present study examined the effect of feeding albino rats with S. birrea juice with respect to their body weight, liver and kidney biochemical parameters. The results showed that no mortality was recorded in acute toxicity (LD₅₀) study. Rats fed with 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg body weight experienced an increase in the body weight through out the period of treatment compared with the initial body weight, while those fed with 4000 mg/kg experienced a decrease in the body weight compared with the initial body weight. In biochemical response, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum albumin, total bilirubin in rats fed with 3000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight. Similarly, serum enzymes activities, aspartate amino transferase (AST), serum alanine amino tranasferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (p<0.05) elevated at higher doses (3000 and 4000 mg/kg) compared to the control group, which is an indication of organ toxicity by cellular destruction induced by phyto-toxin present in the juice. Renal function indices – serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and electrolytes in rats fed with 3000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight showed a significant (p<0.05) change compared to the control group. The results of this study showed that S. birrea juice has a relatively low or no toxicity profile.

Key words: Sclerocarya birrea, albino rats, toxicity, extracts, serum.