Evaluation of Toxicological Profile of Ibuprofen in Wistar Albino Rats

Ibuprofen is an effective, cheap, and frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The present study investigated the doseand time-dependent effects of ibuprofen on hepatic, renal, and hematological functions in rats. Groups of rats (n=6) were given ibuprofen (20, 40 mgkg -1 day -1 ) for 7, 14 or 28 days; or vehicle (control), orally. Blood samples were obtained, and hematological indices and biochemical markers of hepatic and renal functions were measured. Ibuprofen significantly increased, P < 0.001 serum alkaline phosphatase level at all doses and durations of exposure. Serum uric acid level was doseand time-dependently decreased by ibuprofen, but alanine transaminase was increased, P < 0.05 by ibuprofen, only at 40 mgkg -1 and following subchronic (28 days) exposure. In addition, at 40 mgkg -1 , ibuprofen increased creatinine and urea levels at all durations of exposure; but at 20 mgkg -1 , creatinine and urea were increased only in rats that were exposed for 28 days. Furthermore, subchronic exposure of 40 mgkg -1 ibuprofen increased, P < 0.01 WBC count, but it caused no significant effect on WBC at the lower durations of exposure and dose. Also, while RBC and hematocrit were not affected, ibuprofen significantly, P < 0.01,P < 0.001 decreased platelet counts in all treated rats except those that were exposed for 7 days. The implication of this research is that chronic use of ibuprofen could affect hepatic, renal and hematological functions in the rat; and duration of exposure may promote ibuprofen toxicity relative to dose.