Evaluation of the Dose Dependent Hepatic, Renal and Lipids Modulatory Effects of Ethanolic Root Extract of Mezoneuron Benthamianum Baill in Adult Wistar Rats

Samenvatting

The diagnosis and subsequent treatment of diseases involving lipid metabolism and various endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus, nephrosis and liver obstruction have been documented to be achieved by lipid levels measurement. The leaves and roots of Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill (Caesalpinioideae) have been reported to be useful in the treatment of dermal infection, healing of refractory sore, blood disorders; venereal diseases, etc. This study evaluated the dose dependent effects of ethanolic root extract of Mezoneuron benthamianum baill on lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, liver and kidney functions of adult wistar rats. A total of twenty-eight (28) adult male wistar rats weighing between 150g to 180g were used in this study and assigned into four treatment groups of seven (7) rats to each group. Animals in the control group were treated with vehicle (ethanol) while those in the other three groups received mezoneuron 300mg/kg bwt, mezoneuron 500mg/kg bwt and Mezoneuron 750mg/kg bwt respectively. After two weeks of treatment, animals were sacrificed and blood, kidneys and liver samples were collected for analyses. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) level, protein, Lipid profile, electrolyte levels, kidney functional (urea and creatinine), liver functional (AST, ALP and ALT) and lipid peroxidation assays were assessed. Our results revealed that mezoneuron extract at 500 and 750 mg/kg bwt significantly (p<0.05 and 0.005 respectively) reduced fasting blood Sugar levels; significantly repressed lipid profile status; activities of liver enzymes (AST and ALT); serum calcium, chloride and bicarbonate levels while increasing serum levels of potassium, sodium, urea and creatinine in wistar rats; when compared to the control rats. This study suggests that the extract possesses dose dependent antioxidative, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic activities and thus may be useful in the management of lipid and protein associated disorders, wound healing as well as liver and kidney malfunctions.