Abstract

CONSUMPTION OF AFRICAN ELEMI PULP AND AFRICAN WALNUT SEED KERNEL: IMPACT ON HEPATOTOXICITY-RENAL FUNCTION INDICES OF RATS

Ernest A. A. Anyalogbu (PhD)*

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Abstract

Background: Dietary factors are critical in the maintenance of normal healthy liver and kidney. This study evaluated the effect, if any, of the consumption of the two plant foods on the hepatotoxicity-renal function indices of rats. Method: Flours of African elemi (AE) and African walnut (AW) samples subjected to graded heat treatments were added as sole protein sources in diets labelled: AE0, AE15, AE30, AE45, AW0, AW45, AW90, and AW135 (based on heat-contact time (minutes)). The diets were used in a 28day feeding period involving 45 weanling albino rats and the serum hepatotoxicity and renal function indices of the rats were analysed using standard methods. Results: Similarities were observed in the relative liver and kidneys weights of animals on the test and reference diets. The serum levels of the liver function and toxicity parameters and renal function indices obtained for rats on test diets in each of the plant foods and those on the reference diet were statistically similar (p˃0.05). On pairwise comparison, AE30, AE45, and diets based on processed AW gave higher serum total protein and albumin values and lower total bilirubin values, while all levels of inclusion of both plants gave lower serum AST and ALT activities than the reference diet. Also, apart from Na in AE0, the serum levels of the renal function indices were lower in rats fed sample diets relative to those on RD. Conclusions: This study showed that the consumption of the plant foods do not negatively affect the liver or kidneys but on a pairwise basis, indicated hepato-tonic and reno-protective potentials.

Keywords: Hepato-tonic, reno-protective, hepatotoxicity, renotoxic, hypertrophy.