Evaluation of the Hepatotoxic and Nephrotoxic Potential of Methanol Leaf Extract of Lantana camara

Owing to its extensive blood supply and significant role in metabolism, the liver is particularly susceptible to xenobiotics. Thus, it is exposed to high doses of the toxicant or toxic metabolites. The kidney is highly susceptible to toxicants because a high volume of blood flows through the organ and it filters large amounts of toxins which can concentrate in the kidney tubules. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the hepatotoxic potential of methanol leaf extract of Lantana camara. Freshly harvested leaf of L. camara was processed into fine powder. Exactly 500 g of powdered plant sample was soaked in methanol for 72 h. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group 1 was the normal control and was administered 2 ml of distilled water, Groups 2-4 were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of methanol Leaf extract of Lantana camara (MLELC) for 28 days during which animals were weighed weekly. At the termination of the administration of extract, the rats were sacrificed and blood sample collected and analysed for the activities of AST, ALT and ALP as well as the level of serum creatinine and urea using standard procedures. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the creatinine levels of rats administered extract and that reported for the normal control. The body weight of rats recorded at the 4th week of administration of was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that reported at week 0. The liver weight of rats administered 100 mg/kg MLELC was not significantly (P<0.05) different from that reported for groups III-IV administered 200 and 400 mg/kg MLELC respectively which in turn was not significantly (P>0.05) different from that reported for the normal control. Similar observation was made on the kidney. The activities of the AST, ALT and ALP in rats administered MLELC were significantly (P>0.05) higher than that reported for the normal control. In conclusion, it can be deduced from this study that Lantana camara, though a useful therapeutic plant, is toxic and must be applied with caution.