Effect Of Aqueous Extract Of The Leaves Of Loruntilus Micranthus Linn (African Mistletoe) On Biochemical Indices Following Cadmium Induced Toxicity In The Kidney Of Male Wistar Rats:- Ezeokeke, Blessing C

ABSTRACT x The effect of aqueous leaves extract of Loranthus micranthus Linn on biochemical indices following cadmium- induced toxicity in the kidney of male wistar rats was evaluated. Toxicological study (LD50) of aqueous leaves extract ofLoranthus micranthus Linn was studied at doses of 10, 100, 100, 1600, 2900, 5000mg/kg body weight of animals and no death was recorded. Twenty male rats were used and they were divided into four groups offive rats each. Group 1 was fed normal feed and distilled water. Group 2 was administered only extract (150mg/kg body weight), Group 3 was administered only cadmium (50mg/kg body weight) once in two days and Group 4 was administered both cadmium (50mg/kg body weight) and aqueous leaves extract (150mg/kg body weight). The experiment was carried out for a period of21 days. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and the serum obtained was analyzed. There were significance (p<0.05) increase in the total protein of extract treated group (Group 2) and cadmium treated group (Group 3) when compared to Group 1 and Group 4. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) increase in the total protein ofthe group treated with both cadmium and extract (Group 4) when compared to Group 1. In creatinine there were significance ((p<0.05) increase in Group 3 and Group 4 when compared to Group 1 and Group 2 and there was a significant (p>0.05) decrease in the extract treated group (Group 2) when compared to Group 1. The urea concentration of group treated with cadmium showed significant (p<0.05) increase when compared to group 1, 2 and 3. There was significant (p>0.05) decrease in the Group 2 and Group 3 when compared to the control (Group 1). In the above study, it could be concluded that the Loranthus micranthus Linn extract was not toxic to the kidney and cadmium toxicity lead to increase in urea and creatinine concentration.