Acute Toxicity of Methanol Extract of Cola nitida Treatment on Antioxidant Capacity, Hepatic and Renal Functions in Wistar Rats

Aim: The study investigated the effect of methanol crude extract of Cola nitida on some liver function enzymes and antioxidant in wistar rats.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, in the year 2015.

Methodology: LD50 was carried out by administering 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000, 8000 and 10000 mg/kg of the Cola nitida extract to twenty-four animals of four animals per group. For biochemical analysis, fifteen animals were divided into three groups of five animals each, group A served as control group, group B and C received 300 and 500 mg/kg B.W of Cola nitida respectively.

Results: Result indicated an LD50 of 6320 mg/kg B.W. Catalase, revealed a significant (P =.05) decrease in test group (36.7±21.1) for 300 mg/kg and (29.46±18.8) for 500 mg/kg body weight when compared to the control group (59.7±4.3). Superoxide dismutase concentration was also significantly (P =.05) lower in the 500 mg/kg group (10.32 ± 4.90) when compared to the control group (24.94±2.39). GSH concentration was significantly (P =.05) lower in the 500 mg/kg group (21.1±1.91) when compared to the control group (23.3±1.28). Result for MDA significantly (P =.05) decreased in the control group (0.08±0.03) when compared to the 300 mg/kg group (0.11±0.00) and 500 mg/kg group (0.12±0.03). ALT and AST concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the 500 mg/kg group (43.60+20.47 and 30.60+20.99) when compared to the control group (23.40+3.36 and 11.20+5.84).

Conclusion: Result obtained from this study showed that administration of Cola nitida induced lipid peroxidation, and also some signs of hepatotoxicity.