ABSTRACT

 The study was done to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark on lipid profile and kidney function indices of carbon tetrachloride induced male Wistar albino rats. To carry out this study, 18 mice were divided into six groups with 3 mice in each group which were used for phase I and phase II acute toxicity respectively. Subsequently, thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups with each group having five rats which were used for lipid profile and kidney function indices investigation respectively. Group 1 was not treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl±) and served as the normal control while rats in Group 2 - Group 6 were treated intraperitoneally with 2ml/kg body weight of carbon tetrachloride (CCla). Animals of Group 3 were orally administered silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight) while Group 4,5 and 6 with 100,200 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark. All procedures were carried out using standard methods. The percentage yield of ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark was 22.2% (11 lg). High value of acute toxicity at 5000mg/kg body weight showed no form of adverse effect such as dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue and loss of fur of the rats which is a suggestion of the safety and non-toxicity of the extract. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triacylglycerol showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in concentration after carbon tetrachloride induction and further increase after treatment with graded doses of the extract. However, serum high density lipoprotein decreased in concentration after carbon tetrachloride induction but was alleviated after treatment with graded doses of the extract. Carbon tetrachloride adminstration elevated Serum urea and creatinine concentrations after induction but were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after treatment with graded doses of the extract. Hispothatological results revealed no damage was done to the kidney architectural structure. However, group treated with 500mg/kg body weight of the extract showed multifocal areas of renal tubular necrosis with infiltration of inflammatory leucocytes. From this study, it can be deduced that ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii stem bark is a promising candidate for the treatment of renal injury as well as enhancement in lipid profile composition for the prevention of atherosclerosis, hypercholesteremia, hyperlipidemia and its associated diseases.