EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA ON RENAL FUNCTION INDICES OF RATS.

Brown Holy*, Nnatuanya I. N. and Obisike U. A.

ABSTRACT

The effects of ethanolic, aqueous and Dimethyl Sulphur oxide extracts of Xylopia aethiopica on the renal function of Rabbits was studied. Xylopia aethiopica (African guinea pepper) is used mainly as spices, postpartum tonic to induce placental discharge at postpartum by traditional birth attendants (TBA). A total of thirty (30) Rabbits were recruited for the study. The Rabbits were divided into four (4) experimental groups and the control group. Group 1 comprised of six Rabbits weighing averagely 1.4kg, each was given 1ml of Dimethyl sulphur oxide extract of X. aethiopica daily. Group 2 had a mean weight of 1.3kg and received 1.63ml of cold water extract each daily. Group 3 received same volume as group 2 but hot water extract of X. aethiopica. Group 4 received 1.75ml each of ethanolic extract of the plant seed. The control group received 1m each of distilled water once daily for a period of 30 days. The results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of chloride ion in all the methods of extracts when compared with the control. Potassium ion levels were significantly increased in in both the Dimethyl Sulphur oxide and cold water extracts of X. aethiopica. There was also a significant increase in creatinine values for the cold water extract when compared with the control group and sodium and bicarbonate levels were also increased significantly for the hot water and ethanolic extracts respectively. In this study, it can be deduced that Xylopia aethiopica caused a significant increase in the level of creatinine in Rabbits treated with cold water extract, indirectly affecting the renal function. It is recommended therefore, that further studies should be advocated to ascertain and to provide reasonable estimates of the human risk associated with the consumption of Xylopia aethiopica in hot water extract as is used to in this part of the globe.

Keywords: Xylopia aethiopica, renal function, electrolyte, postpartum tonic.