Evaluation of Time-Dependent Effects of a Leaf Extract of Spermacoce Ocymoides  on Kidney Function

 

Nwachukwu Francis Chukwuedozie
 

 

Full Length Research I Published May, 2016

 

Journal of Medical and Biological Science Research Vol. 2 (5), pp. 68-74

 

ABSTRACT

Increase use of herbal medicines for the treatment of various diseases is suspected to cause renal toxicity. The study evaluated time-dependant effects of daily administration of leaf extract of Spermacoce ocymoides on renal function. The albino rats were grouped into two groups viz: control and treatment groups. The standard methods, as reported by; Butler, Evans, Vogel, Hochestrasser and Bassir, and Skeggs were employed in the in vivo estimation of serum kidney function. The results revealed increased significant difference, in the concentrations of serum creatinine, and urea as compared with the control untreated, at P < 0.05, on the fourteenth and eighteenth day. Chloride ion concentrations were significantly different (P <0.05) on the second, tenth and eighteenth day of administration, as compared with the control, however serum bicarbonate ion was not significant, only on fourteenth day, as compared with control. There were no significant changes in serum potassium and sodium ion concentrations. At the end of research: urea (246%) and creatinine (62%) were poorly excreted while, chloride ions (51%) was poorly regulated. Sodium and potassium ion have the least percentage fluctuations (5 and 7%). The fourteenth and eighteenth day of the daily administration of the leaf extract caused kidney impairment and by inference contains nephrotoxin.

Key words: Creatinine, Electrolyte, Kidney, Urea and Spermacoce ocymoides.

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