Effects of the Methanol Root Extract of Cissampelos mucronata A. Rich on the Kidney and Liver of Rats- a Histological and Biochemical Study

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the potential toxicologic effects of the methanol root extract of Cissampelos mucronata (A. Rich) on liver and kidney tissues.
Methodology: A total of 30 rats were used for the study consisting of 5 female rats for the acute toxicity study and 25 rats for the 28 day repeated toxicity studies, the 25 rats were divided into five groups of 5 rats per group. Group I served as the control, while rats in groups II-IV where administered 100, 200 and 300 mgkg-1 body weight of the extract respectively for 28 days. Rats in group V were administered 300 mgkg-1 of the extract for 28 days and allowed to stay for 14 days post treatment. At the end of the experimental period the rats were sacrificed, kidney and liver weight taken and fixed for routine histological examinations while blood was obtained for biochemical analysis.
Results: Acute toxicity studies revealed an LD50 of >2000mgkg-1 following oral administration of the extract while 28 days administration of 100, 200 and 300mgkg-1 of the extract caused a significant decrease in body weight (p<0.01) and significant increases in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein and albumin(P<0.05-0.001). Histopathological assessment of the liver and kidney tissues revealed moderate lymphocytic infiltration and thrombus formation within the central veins in the liver, moderate epithelial sloughing of the proximal convulated tubules in renal tissues with no remarkable recovery following withdrawal of the extract.
Conclusion: This study suggests that prolonged and constant use of the extract is both hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic.