Toxicological Effects of Jatropha Tanjorensis Aqueous Leaf Extract on Kidney and Liver in Wistar Rats.

Abstract

Background: The leaves of are employed traditionally in the treatment of anaemia, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Many consumers of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves claim that the leaves are nutritious and it possesses nutraceutical properties that promote good health. This study investigated the toxic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on liver and kidney functions in Wistar rats. Methodology: The extracts were orally administered at doses of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 700mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days after which kidney and liver function indicators were measured in the serum. Liver enzymes were estimated using RANDOX test kits protocol. Results: Measurement of organ weight index revealed that aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis caused no statistically significant increase (P>0.05) in kidney and liver weights in rats. The extract caused significant elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and protein in the group administered 700mg/kg. A significant increase in serum creatinine and urea was also observed in rats administered with 700mg/kg of the extract. Conclusion: These results suggest that administration of 700mg/kg of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract may disrupt protein metabolism function of the liver and can also interfere negatively with the filtration capacity of the kidney resulting in renal and hepatic dysfunction.