Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Effects of Cassia occidentalis aqueous leaf extract on biochemical markers of tissue damage in rats.

A A Nuhu¹ , R Aliyu²

¹Biology Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU-Bauchi, Bauchi, Nigeria.; ²Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria..

For correspondence:- A Nuhu Email: aanuhu@yahoo.com Tel:08072508912

Received: 14 June 2008 Accepted: 19 August 2008 Published: 16 December 2008

Citation: Nuhu AA, Aliyu R. Effects of Cassia occidentalis aqueous leaf extract on biochemical markers of tissue damage in rats.. Trop J Pharm Res 2008; 7(4):1137-1142 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v7i4.6

© 2008 The authors.
This is an Open Access article that uses a funding model which does not charge readers or their institutions for access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) and the Budapest Open Access Initiative (http://www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org/read), which permit unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited..

Abstract

Purpose: Among the Hausas of Northern Nigeria, it is claimed by local (traditional) healers that the infusion of C. occidentalis leaves is used as a cure for hepatitis. This study was designed to evaluate the possible negative effects of the aqueous extract of this herb on serum total proteins, albumin, bilirubin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as part of a larger study undertaken by these authors to ascertain the hepatoprotective potential of the plant extract.

Methods: Fresh leaves of C. occidentalis were extracted with water and screened for phytochemical components. The extract was used for the treatment of 18 albino rats. Serum from these animals was used for the determination of the test parameters.

Results: The extract showed hypoproteinaemic effect. ALT, AST and ALP levels were significantly elevated (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Hypoproteinaemic effects, and increase in ALT, AST and ALP are indications that the crude extract of C. occidentalis leaves may be slightly toxic as a concoction for liver ailments.

Keywords: C. occidentalis, Liver, Serum proteins, Transaminases, Hypoproteinaemic effects.