Toxicological Effects Of Methanol Extract Of Dennettiatripetala (Pepper Fruit) Fresh Leaves On Male Albino Rats:- Okafor, Tochi A

ABSTRACT Dennettia tripetala, also known as pepper fruit is widely grown in the rain forest zones of Nigeria and some parts of West Africa.The vast majority ofAfricans still usetraditional medicine as the primary means of treatment. The aim ofthis study was to determine the biochemical and toxicological properties of methanol extract of fresh Dennettia tripetala (pepper fruit) leaves in male albino rats. Twenty healthy male albino rats were divided into four groups of five rats each was used in this study. Group 1 was the control group; groups 2, 3 and 4 received an oral dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/ kg methanol leave extract of D. tripetala daily for 21 days. After 21 days of the administration, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected through the ocular puncture to assay the biochemical parameters. Animals given the D. tripetala methanol extract at doses up to 400 mg/kg body weight showed no harm in acute toxicity testing; however, D. tripetala caused a significant derangement in the liver and kidney profile. ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, albumin, direct bilirubin, urea showed significant decrease while creatinine levels increased non-significantly (p>0.05) from the control. The activities of the antioxidant parameters showed a non-significant increase at all doses compared to the control. In conclusion, this study has shown that administration ofmethanol leaves extract ofD. tripetala at a dose over 100 mg/kg body weight for an extended period may induce toxicity to the liver and kidney, which could cause hepatic disease and renal dysfunction