Effects Of Aqueous Extract Of Loranthus Micranthus Linn On Paracetamol Induced Nephrotoxicity On Male Wistar Rat :- Arisa Chioma G

ABSTRACT x plants have been used for medicinal purposes. Medicinal plants contain accumulated natural products, biologically active materials and ingredients which have various effects on humans and microorganisms. The plant part that contains the active ingredients is taken in the form of extract. Loranthus micranthus linn (African mistletoe) is a semi- parasitic plant that steals water and minerals from it's host tree. L. Micranthus as a drug is used to complement medicine as anticancer agent, antidiabetic agent and antihypertensive agent. The herb has been observed to contain viscotoxins, lecithin, polysaccharides, proteins and phytochemicals as active ingredients. L.micranthus also known as "cure all" is a natural source of antioxidant, it is used in almost every continent to treat various ailments. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the effect of aqueous leaves of Loranthus Micranthus on paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity in male wistar rat. Acute toxicity test of the aqueous extract showed no toxicity up to 500mg/kg body weight Male wistar rats (n =20) were divided into four (4) groups each with five (5) rats and treated as follows: Group 1: vital feed and distilled water (normal control), group 2: aqueous extract of L. micranthus only (150mg/kg), Group 3: Paracetamol only (400mg/kg) Group 4: paracetamol (400mg/kg) and aqueous extract of L. micranthus (150mg/kg). Administration was done orally twice daily, the experiment lasted for 28days after which the rat were sacrificed and the kidney were collected for antioxidant analysis. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the paracetamol level when compared with the control in all the antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD,GSH and MDA). There was a remarkable but insignificant decrease (p<0.05) in the aqueous extract of L. Micranthus. However, the studies, there was a significant increase of the grouped co-treated L. Micranthus and paracetamol in catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA), insignificant increase in superoxide dismutases (SOD) and insignificant decrease in Reduce Glutathione (GSH) when compared with the control. It is therefore, concluded that administration of aqueous extract of L. Micranthus was not toxic to the male wister rats. It also ameliorate the nephritic assault initiated by paracetamol in the kidney and does not generate free radicals.