Abstract:The effect of marijuana and tobacco leaves on male albino rats haematological and liver functional indices were investigated. Twenty (20)

The effect of aqueous fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica on bile, serum and fecal uric acid levels as well as bile secretion and cholesterol (LDL, VLDL, HDL and triglycerides) were studied in wistar albino rats. Thirty (30) wistar albino rats were divided into three groups of ten (10) rats each after an acclimatization period of seven (7) days. The control group received normal rat chow and water freely. The two test group's ii and iii received daily oral administration of 100mg/kg b.w and 200mg/kg b.w/day respectively of the fruit extract for 28 days, water and standard feed given ad libitum. At the end of the experimental period, bile, serum and feces from the three groups were analyzed for bilirubin and uric acid. Bile flow rate (ml/h) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the test groups when compared with control. Total and unconjugated bile bilirubin in group ii were significantly (p<0.001) lower than control, while total, conjugated and unconjugated bile bilirubin in group iii was significantly (p<0.001) higher when compared with control. In the serum, total, conjugated and unconjugated biliribin was significantly (p<0.05, 0.001) higher in the group iii when compared with the control. Serum and fecal uric acid levels in the test groups were significantly (p<0.001) lower than in their control. The plasma cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides were significantly decreased in group i while the extract significant increased plasma triglyceride, VLDL but increased plasma LDL and HDL. It appears that low and high doses of aqueous fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica caused the lowering of uric acid levels in serum and feces, and this might be a panacea to arthritis and gout , atherosclerosis, coronary heart diseases and other cardiovascular related disorders.