ABSTRACT

Hepatotoxicity (from hepatic toxicity) implies chemical-driven liver damage. Drug-induced liver injury is a cause of acute and chronic liver disease. The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of cashew nut in albino rats. The administration of the extract to the animal was done for 21 days once daily. The biochemical analysis was performed on serum following the determination of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatise (ALP), Total Bilirubin and Conjugate Bilirubin. A significant (P˂0.05) increase was recorded for total bilirubin concentration when the extract treated groups; 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000mg/kg were compared to normal control (10.30+0.10a), while the extract treated groups at 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg in week 2 and 3 significantly (P˂0.05) increased the conjugated bilirubin, AST (Aspartate transferase), AST (Aspartate transferase) and Alanin transferese (ALT) level when compared with the normal control (5.03+0.15a).  In the present study, the effect of different doses of Cashew extract on Conjugated Bilirubin and AST (Aspartate transferase), AST (Aspartate transferase) and Alanin transferese (ALT) concentration revealed that in week 1 at 125mg/kg group there were no significant (p>0.05) increase when compared to the normal control while other groups in week 1 significantly (p<0.05) increased when compared to the normal control. At lower dosage there was no pathology, while mild portal inflammation was seen at higher dose when compared to the normal control. Conclusively, within the limits of experimental error, the result of this study indicates that weekly administration of ethanol extract of cashew nuts may alter liver status to exhibit toxic effects, particularly at 1000mg/kg body weight of rat. Given the growing use of herbs in a number of ailments, findings from this study suggest that traditional remedies from cashew nuts warrants further investigations.