Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research (SJBR)
Volume-2 | Issue-02 | 19-26
Original Research Article
Effect of Aqueous Root Extract of Cassia occidentalis on Acetaminophen Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity Rat Model
A.J. Alhassan, I.U. Muhammad, A.A. Imam, Z.H. Shamsudden, A. Nasir, I. Alexander
Published : March 30, 2017
Abstract
Indiscriminate usage of Cassia occidentalis in treating many diseases has been locally practiced, the need for
ascertaining the epicacy of the extract in management of liver and kidney damage become imperative. This research
investigate the effects of aqueous root extracts of Cassia occidentalis on some liver and kidney parameters in
acetaminophen induced liver and kidney toxicity. A total of thirty five rats were used for the research, in phase I, ten rats
were used to confirm the inducement of hepato-renal toxicity by acetaminophen. They were grouped into two of five rats
each, group I serve as normal control, group two serves as test control and administered with 750mg/kg body weight of
acetaminophen. The animals were euthanized after 24 hours of acetaminophen administration and liver function indices
(ALT, AST, total protein, Albumin total and direct Bilirubin) and kidney function indices (urea and creatinine) were
assayed. In phase II, twenty five rats were grouped into five groups (GI – GV) of five rats each. G I served as normal
control, GII served as test control, GIII, GIV and GV were induced with hepato-renal toxicity and administered with the
extract at a dose of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg body weight per day for two weeks. A significant increase
(p<0.05) in both liver and kidney function indices was observed in test control group compared to normal control in both
phases. Administration of the extract lead a significant decrease (p<0.05) in liver parameters in a dose dependent manner
compared to test control. Contrary to this however, a slight decrease in serum urea and creatinine was observed in the
extract administered groups. The observed hepatocurative ability of the plant may not be unconnected with the presence
of various phytochemicals in the plant.