PHYTOCHEMICALS AND TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HERBAL DRINK (HD) ON LIVER AND KIDNEY IN WISTAR RATS
Abstract:Herbal medicine use is on the increase worldwide and many studies have associated their use with hepatotoxicity and
nephrotoxicity. Herbal drink (HD) is a commercial herbal supplement mainly used in Uganda. In this study, we evaluated the
phytochemical composition, and acute and sub-chronic toxicological effects of HD on hepatorenal integrity in Wistar rats.
Modified Lorke’s method was employed in the acute toxicity study. For the sub-chronic toxicity study, a total of sixteen (N=
16) Wistar rats were randomly allotted to four groups of four rats each (n=4). Normal control group, NC (normal dose
equivalent of distilled water), Group T1 (half normal dose of HD), Group T2 (normally recommended dose equivalent of HD),
and Group T3 (twice normal recommended dose of HD). All treatments were done by intragastric gavage for a period of twentyeight days. Phytochemical analysis of HD showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds,
flavonoids, saponins, and carbohydrates. The animals were able to tolerate a dose of up to 5000 mg/Kg. It was demonstrated
that continuous twenty-eight-day treatment with HD does not significantly (p>0.0 alter kidney and liver function parameters
in Wistar rats. This observation concurs with the histopathological findings of the liver and kidney tissues which showed no
remarkable histomorphological alterations. Regular intake of HD does not have any significant toxic effects on the liver and
kidney in Wistar rats.