Nephrotoxic Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Lonchocarpus Cyanescens in Normal Rats

Medicinal plants is used in the treatment of various diseases, Lonchocarpus cyanescens is one such plant. It is used in treating diseases such as diabetes mellitus, intestinal disorder and dysentery.This study was designed to evaluate the nephrotoxicity of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Lonchocarpus cyanescens in normal albino rats. Total of fifty six rats were used for the research. The rats were divided into fourteen (14) groups of four (4) rats each and administered varying doses of both extracts with the exception of the control group. After the twenty eight (28) days of administration rats were euthanized and blood for sample collected for analysis. Results from analysis revealed that the extracts did not significantly (P>0.05) increase or decrease the concentrations of urea at doses 200 mg/kg,500mg/kg ,1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg and 3500mg/kg respectively except at dose 5000mg/kg of aqueous extract were significant(p<0.05) increase in urea concentration. The administration of 200 mg/kg,500 mg/kg,1000 mg/kg and 2000mg/kg of methanolic extract did not significantly (P>0.05) increase the creatinine concentration except at dose 3500 mg/kg were their was significant(p<0.05) increase. Aqueous extract at doses 200 mg/kg,1000 mg/kg, 2000mg/kg,3500 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight significantly (p>0.05) increase the concentration of creatinine, however at dose 500 mg/kg no significant (p> 0.05) increase was observed. No significant (p>0.05) increase in the administration of aqueous extract at doses 200 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg for Na+ , 200mg/kg to 2000 mg/kg for K+, 200mg/kg to 2000mg/kg for Cl- and 200mg/kg to 3500mg/kg for bicarbonate at doses. However at doses 2000mg/kg to 5000 mg/kg for Na+, 3500mg/kg to 5000mg/kg for K+, bicarbonate and Cl- there was significant(p<0.05) increase or decrease in the concentration of these electrolytes. There was no significant (p>0.05) increase or decrease in the administration of methanolic extract of the plant leave at doses 200 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg for Na+, 200mg/kg to 2000 mg/kg for K+, however significant (p<0.05) increase was observed at doses 200 mg/kg to 3500 mg/kg for Cl- and 200mg/kg to 2000mg/kg for bicarbonate ions when compared to control. Significant (p<0.05) decrease was observed at dose 3500mg/kg of methanolic leaf extract for the various electrolytes when compared to control. Missing data not determined due to mortality. These results indicate that extracts of L. cyanescens at low <2000mg/kg doses might induced minimal effect but high doses>2000mg/kg might induced renal dysfunction