ABSTRACT:Cisplatin is a potent front-line antitumor drug characterized by dose-limiting nephrotoxicity resulting to withdrawal from treatment by patient. This research was therefore designed to investigate the mitigating effect of ethanolic leave extract of phyllantus amarus on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Thirty six (36) rats were divided into 9 groups (n=4rats) labeled A to I with group A (water control) treated with 0.2ml of distil water, B(vehicle control) administered 0.2ml of olive oil, C and D were orally treated with 150 and 300mg/kgBW leave extract of P. amarus only dissolved in olive oil for 14day respectively, 0.7ml of cisplatin was administered to rats in group E while groups F and G , H and I orally received 150 and 300mg/kgBW leave extract of P. amarus dissolved in olive oil for 7 and 14days respectively after the administration of cisplatin to the rats. The rats were sacrificed on days 7 and 14, blood samples were collected into heparinized sample bottles for biochemical investigation of sodium ion (Na + ), potassium ion (K + ), Chloride ion (Cl -), bicarbonate ion (HCO 3 -), creatinine and urea levels. Qualitative phytochemical screening of P.amarus was also carried out. The result revealed significant decrease (p<0.05) in plasma concentrations of K + , Cl -, creatinine and urea in groups F,G, H and I when compared to negative control(E) value and significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma concentrations of Na + and HCO 3 -when compared to negative control value. Group H for all the parameters under consideration showed a non significant difference (p>0.05) (almost close to oil control value) when compared to group A value, indicating restoration to normal value. The result of phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardenolides, steroids, tannins, carbohydrate and anthraquinones. Conclusively, ethanolic leave extract of P. amarus demonstrated mitigating effect of cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats © JASEM.

Liver diseases associated with its function in detoxification of xenobiotics are one of the most common causes of death. Side effects of drugs treating liver diseases have marred their popularity. This work was therefore designed to investigate the ameliorating effect of ethanolic leaves extract of phyllantus amarus on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) induced hepatotocity in albino rats. Thirty six (36) rats were divided into 9 groups (n=4rats) labeled A to I. Group A (water control) was treated with 0.2ml of distil water, B(vehicle control) received 0.2ml of olive oil, C and D were orally treated with 150 and 300mg/kgBW ethanolic leaves extract of P. amarus only, dissolved in olive oil for 14day respectively, 120mg/kgBW of (CCl 4 ) was administered to rats in groups E F,G,H and I while groups F and G , H and I orally received 150 and 300mg/kgBW of P. amarus leaves extract dissolved in olive oil for 7 and 14days respectively. The rats were sacrificed on days 7 and 14, blood samples were collected into heparinized sample bottles for biochemical investigation of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP) activities, and total protein (TP), albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (T.BIL) levels in plasma. Qualitative phytochemical screening of P.amarus was also carried out. Result from this work revealed significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma activities of AST, ALT, ALP and T.Bil level while that of TP and ALB significantly decreased (p<0.05) when group A was compared to group E. Non significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in all the parameters when group B was compared to groups C and D. All the parameters in a time and dose dependent manner, significantly decrease (p<0.05) except for TP and ALB levels which increased significantly (p<0.05) for all the extract treated groups. All the other parameters showed non significant difference (p>0.05) except for AST and ALP activities that were significantly increased when group A was compared to I. Result of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardenolides, steroids, tannins, carbohydrate and anthraquinones. Thus, ethanolic leaves extract of phyllantus amarus ameliorated the damage induced by CCl 4 on the liver. © JASEM

ABSTRACT:African studies on effect of antiretroviral drugs on the kidney are limited resulting to scanty information on the safety of these drugs. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral drugs arved ® , on creatinine, urea, potassium and sodium ions as well as histological effect on the kidney. A total of fifty two (52) albino rats were randomly divided into four groups labeled A, B, C and D and kept in a well ventilated room. All experimental groups shared the same environmental conditions. Group A served as the control and rats were treated with distil water. Rats in groups B, C and D were, respectively treated with three different doses of arved (1.07, 3.21, and 4.29 mg kg -1 ). The drug was administered orally daily for 2, 4, 6, and 8 consecutive weeks. Animals were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last treatment. Blood samples were collected into heparinized sample bottles for biochemical analyses. The result of this study revealed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood urea level in weeks 4 and 6 for treatment groups B and C when compared to control group. Mean creatinine values for all the treatment groups significantly increased (p<0.05) over the period of treatment when compared to the control value. Sodium ion showed a non significant increase (p>0.05) all through the period of treatment. Significant increase (of about 2 fold) (p<0.05) of potassium ion was observed in all the treatment groups in weeks 6 and 8 of treatment. Histological examination of the kidney tissue of rats in group D treated with the drug for 8 weeks did not show any morphological change similar to that of the control group. In conclusion prolonged treatment of HIV/AIDS patients with arved could result to renal dysfunction. © JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v18 i2.27