Dysregulation of Electrolyte Balance and Lipid Profile in Rats Following Oral Administration of the Methanolic Fruit Pulp Extract of Azanza garckeana (Tula Kola Nut)
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of the methanolic fruit pulp extract of Azanza garckeana (MFEAG) on renal function through acute and subacute toxicity studies. Twenty-nine (29) apparently healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing 100-120 grams were used. For the acute study, 9 rats were randomly assigned into three groups. Group 1 was administered 300 mg/kg MFEAG once. Group 2 was sequentially administered the next dose of 2,000 mg/kg once, when there were no signs of toxicity or mortality in Group 1 at 48 hours post-treatment, while Group 3 was administered the vehicle (10% v/v Tween 80). The rats were then observed for two weeks and sacrificed. For the subacute study, 20 rats were randomly assigned into four groups and daily administered the extract (at 300, 600, or 1,200 mg/kg) or the vehicle for four weeks. No significant effects were detected on the serum kidney function markers of the treated rats, except for the increase in the serum chloride concentration and decrease in the serum triglyceride concentration after the acute study; subsequently, the serum sodium concentration increased after the subacute study. These findings indicate that MFEAG may cause some level of impairment in renal function.
