Phytochemical Characterization And Biochemical Studies Of Cissus multistriata Extract Administered To Rattus novergicus

Abstract

The leaves of cissus multistriata were collected, air-dried for two weeks and pulverized into powder; this was folowed by extraction with either chloroform or water The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamin C, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, lipids and vitamin E; whereas balsam, anthraquinone, tannins alkaloids, cardenolides and phlobactannin were completely absent. The aqueous extract was administered to the experimental rats at doses of 100, 200, 800, 1600, 3200, and 6400 mg/kg bodyweight for three weeks. The control group were injected 5 ml physiological saline 3 times daily for 21 days. The test animals showed appreciable body weight increase when compared with the control group. The body weight increase was dose dependent. Analysis o the blood samples for enzymes activities, (indicators for the possible damage to the liver and kidney) showed that the leaf extract was slighly toxic to these organs. Measurement of enzymes activities reveaed that lactate dehydrogenase, akaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, alanine and aspartate amino transferases activities were observed to have increased throughout with increase in dosage of the extract down the group. A part from the enzymes, oher renal and hepatic profiles were monitored which included serum urea, creatinine, albumin and bilirubin. There was increase in the renal and hepatic profiles monitored and the increase was dose dependent. The result of this investigation indicated that proonged use and at a high dosage of the extract could be deleterious to the liver and kidney.

Keywords: Cissus multistriata, Vitaceae, liver, kidney, albino rats, enzymes, analytes

Animal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 481-484