Biosafety evaluation of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves on liver and kidney of wistar rats

Abstract. Yakubu OE, Abu MS, Innocent OC, Onuche JI. 2022. Biosafety evaluation of ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves on liver and kidney of wistar rats. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 20: 1-5. Medicinal plants such as Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. have played a significant role in maintaining human health since ancient times. Documented evidence shows that the plant has been used to treat various ailments. Still, its biosafety on vital organs such as the liver and kidney has not been specifically studied. The study was designed to ascertain the biosafety of ethanolic extract of P. amarus leaves on the liver and kidney of wistar rats. A total of twenty (20) wistar rats were used, divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each (Group A, B, C, D). Group B, C, D received 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Group A (Control) received only distilled water. The treatment was carried out for two weeks. At the end of the experiments, the animals were sacrificed. Afterward, liver function and renal function evaluation were conducted. The indicators of liver function include Total protein (TP), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Albumin (ALB), Direct bilirubin (DB), and total bilirubin (TB) were determined. The indicators of renal function include sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (k+), Chlorine ion (Cl-), urea, and creatinine. The results showed that the parameters of the liver function of treated animals were no significant (p>0.0) difference compared to the normal rats (control). Concentrations of sodium ions (Na+), potassium ions (k+), chlorine ions (Cl-), urea, and creatinine of the treated animals were statistically comparable to the normal rats at (p<0.05). This research showed that P. amarus did not induce hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity at the dose of 100-400 mg/kg BW. Furthermore, this finding has validated the use of P. amarus as a traditional herb for treating and managing several diseases, including kidney and liver diseases, without any significant organ damage.