Effects of 1:1 Mixture of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides Root Bark Extracts on Haematological Parameters, Liver and Kidney Function Indices of Male Rats

Background: This study evaluated the effects of 1:1 mixture of aqueous root bark extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC) Guill & Perr (Combretaceae) and Terminalia avicennioides Guill & Perr (Combretaceae) in male rats. Methods: Male rats were orally administered a 1:1 mixture of both extracts (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) for seven days. Liver and kidney function indices, haematological parameters and the levels of malondialdehyde were evaluated in the animals at 7 days post-administration of the mixture of the extracts. Results: Administration of mixture of the extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the activities of liver and kidney alkaline phosphatase and reduced the serum alkaline phosphatase, liver and serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities. The mixture also decreased the levels of serum chloride ions, liver and kidney malondialdehyde. Furthermore mixture significantly (p<0.05) increased the serum total protein concentrations whereas the levels of serum albumin, creatinine, urea, potassium, sodium and bicarbonate ions, red blood cells, white blood cells and their related indices were not significantly (p>0.05) altered. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the mixture caused functional toxicity of the liver and kidney of male rats without any evidence of haematotoxicity. The consumption of the 1:1 mixture of the plant extracts at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight has some toxic implications in male rats.