Acute Toxicity Studies and Comparative effect of Kigeria Pinnata Ethanolic leaf extract on Hepatic Functions in Albino Wistar rats treated high fat diet.

The aim of this study was designed to evaluate the activity of the Kigeria pinnata ethanolic leaf extract on liver functions in matured albino Wistar rats exposed to high fat diet. Kigeria pinnata leaves were obtained, air dried, powdered and extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus in 4000ml ethanol solution. Liver function indicators were assessed on rat models fed with palm oil and coconut milk. The acute toxicity test of the extract was carried out by the Lorke^,s method. Results showed that Kigeria pinnata ethanolic leaf extract significantly (p<0.05), lowered plasma Alkaline phosphatase(ALP), Alanine amino transferase(ALT) and Aspartate amino transferase(AST) relative to values recorded for fat fed rats and significantly (P<0.05), raised plasma Albumin(ALB) and Total protein levels compared to values recorded for fat fed rats. Results also indicated moderate change in body and organ weights in Kigeria pinnata treated rats relative to the control, but, significantly (P <0.05), increased body and organ weights in high fat diet exposed rats, relative to values recorded for the control. Toxicity studies suggested that, the extract was safe at the dose;2449.49mg/kg body weights of the test models. Overall findings from this study showed that the ethanolic extract exhibited no potentials for hepato-cellural injury and may possess hepato-protective properties in several ethnobotanical applications.

Keywords: Pharmacognosy, Lorks method, Hyperlipidemia, Acute toxicity, Hepatoxicity.