Cow Urine Extract of Nicotiana tabacum Leaf Portends Hepatotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aims: The toxicological effects of single and repeated doses of aqueous extract (AE) and cow urine extract (CUE) of Nicotiana tabacum leaf on the liver and kidney function indices of male Wistar rats were investigated. Study Design: Thirty-five male rats were randomized into seven groups (n=5). The control group received 0.5 mL of distilled water, groups A and B received 8 mg/kg body weight (BW) of CUE and AE respectively, once daily; groups C and D received 16 mg/kg BW of CUE and AE respectively, thrice a day (TD); groups E and F received 32 mg/kg BW of CUE and AE respectively, TD.The administration was oral and lasted for 28 days. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Summit University, Offa, Nigeria between June 2019 and August 2019. Methodology: Thirty-five male rats were randomized into seven groups (n=5). The control group received 0.5 mL of distilled water, groups A and B received 8 mg/kg body weight (BW) of CUE and AE respectively, once daily; groups C and D received 16 mg/kg BW of CUE and AE respectively, thrice a day (TD); groups E and F received 32 mg/kg BW of CUE and AE respectively, TD. Results: The result revealed no significant difference in the activities of the ALP, and GGT but a significant increase in the ACP, ALT, and AST activities in both tissues and serum. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in albumin concentration of rats in all the groups except group B when compared with the control rats. Liver and kidney histology revealed minimal lymphocytic infiltration with no sign of medium-term systemic damage. Conclusion: The study suggests no nephrotoxicity of AE and CUE at all doses administered, but probable hepatotoxicity at higher and repeated doses of both extracts except at the single dose of 8 mg/kg BW of AE.