Effect of Aqueous Extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa on Some Liver and Kidney Parameters of Wistar Rat

Aim: Aqueous extract of the seed of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) is used in Nigerian alternative medicine for the treatment of hypertension. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seed extract on the liver and kidney functions of wistar rats. The biochemical parameters assayed were alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea and creatinine.

Materials and Methods: Varying doses of the aqueous extract of the Sphenostylis stenocarpa, were administered to the rats for a period of ten days and the biochemical parameters; ALP, LDH, urea and creatinine levels were determined using spectrophotometric methods.

Results: There was significant decrease p=0.05 in the urea concentration in the serum. The highest decrease of 0.70 ± 0.08 vs control 0.97 ± 0.00 mmol/l was obtained after the 10 days duration at the highest dose (3 ml/100 g body weight). Additionally, the creatinine concentration in the serum of the experimental animals also showed a significant decrease. The highest decrease of 81 ± 1.63 vs control 110 ± 0.00 µmol/l was obtained after the 10 days period at the highest dose (3 ml/100 g body weight). The study also showed that the aqueous extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa had no significant effect on the ALP and LDH activities of the experimental rats.

Conclusion: The decrease on the urea and creatinine levels may be contributing to the reduction in high blood pressure in the individuals taking this tea extract. Furthermore, the study showed that the aqueous extract had no harmful effects on the liver profile of the rats.