Objectives:To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri (Aq.E.PN) against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced myocardial toxicity in rats.Materials and Methods:Cardiotoxicity was produced by Dox administration (15 mg/kg for 2 weeks). Aq.E PN (200 mg/kg, orally) was administered as pretreatment for 2 weeks alternated with Dox for the next 2 weeks. The general observations, mortality, histopathology, biomarker enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and alkaline phosphatase, diagnostic enzyme markers like aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were monitored after 3 weeks of the last dose.Results:Pretreatment with the Aq.E.PN significantly (P < 0.01) protected the myocardium from the toxic effects of Dox by reducing the elevated level of biomarker and diagnostic enzymes like LDH, CPK, AST and ALT to the normal levels. Aq.E PN increased the GSH, SOD and CAT levels and decreased the MDA levels in cardiac tissue. Administration of Dox caused cardiomyopathy associated with an antioxidant deficiency.Conclusion:These results suggest a cardioprotective effect of P. niruri due to its antioxidant properties.

The use of extracts of medicinal plants for treatments or prevention of diseases is a common health practice in most African societies. Anacardiumoccidentale is by far the most important flowering plant of the anacardiaceae family with great ethnomedicinal importance to third world countries including Nigeria, Brazil, India and Philippines. Traditionally, extracts of Anacardiumocciden tale are used as anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive agents. Base on disparities in the toxicological reports on the plant, this research seeks to evaluate the possible histological effect of ethanolic stem bark extract of the plant on the kidneys which are major excretory organs of metabolic products. Fourteen newly waned rabbits were divided into four groups of three animals each. Group 1 is negative control. Extract administered to groups (II, III and IV) at 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg showed congested Glomerular Tufts devoid of urinary space. Hence, the cellular compartments are vulnerable to damage. Chronic toxicity studies are needed to further support the safety use of this plant for treatments.