Nephrotoxicity Caused By The Extract Of Alstonia Boonei (De Wild) Stem Bark In Guinea Pigs

The renal effect of 50 and 200mg/kg extract of the stem bark of Alstonia boonei (De Wild) was studied in guinea-pigs of mixed sexes weighing 0.55 – 1.30kg for 2 and 4 weeks respectively. The animals were divided into six groups of 10 animals each. Groups 1 and 4 served as controls for the 2 and 4 weeks of the protocols respectively. Group 2 and 5 received 50mg/kg of the extract for 2 & 4 weeks respectively, while groups 3 and 6 received 200mg/kg of the drug product. By the 4th week, the animals in the test groups significantly lost weights (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the weights of the kidneys (pc0.05) at the end of two weeks. 200mg/kg raised the blood urea level significantly (51.4  6.12t and 31.6  8.3c mg/dl) (p<0.05). Other renal parameters such as creatinine, potassium, and chloride ions were significantly raised (p<0.05) especially at 200 mg/kg dose and by the 4th week. Serum sodium and bicarbonate levels were reduced non-significantly at 50mg/kg 200mg/kg (sodium), and significantly at 50 and 200mg/kg for bicarbonate by the 4th week, relative to controls (p<0.05). The kidney cells showed obvious histological changes as a result of the administration of the extract. The plant extract may be nephrotoxic based on the results. Further studies would be needed to confirm the reproducibility of the present study.