Effect of methanolic leaf extract of Parinari curatellifolia on rat liver and kidney

Parinari curatellifolia is a valuable and cherished medicinal plant in which different parts of the plant are widely used by the traditional herbalist in the treatment of many diseases. Effect of methanolic leaf extract of P. curatellifolia on the liver and kidney of albino rats was investigated. Different doses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg/bw of the crude extract were administered to rats daily for a period of 21 days. Serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) of the treated animals increased significantly (p < 0.05). Similarly, serum levels of creatinine and urea also increased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. There was insignificant difference in the level of bilirubin and protein content. Increase in the serum levels of these biochemical parameters appear to be dose dependent. This is suggestive of liver or kidney impairment caused by the methanolic extract of the plant.