INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL SEED EXTRACT OF GARCINIA KOLA ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND HEPATORENAL INDICES IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Garcinia kola is a known herbal plant which is widely consumed for many ethnomedicinal uses. This study was aimed at determining the effect of ethanol extract of G. kola seeds on levels of hematological as well as blood indices of liver (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin) and kidney function (creatinine and urea). Extract (50, 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg) was orally administered to different groups of rats (n = 6) daily for thirty days. Control animals were given vehicle (DMSO + distilled water, 2:1). Blood levels of the parameters mentioned above were measured at the end of extract treatment. Livers and kidneys of animals were removed and weighed and organ-to-body weight ratio was obtained. Extract had no effect on serum levels of liver and kidney indices, except that it reduced (P<0.05) ALP level at 300 mg/kg. Organ-to-body weight ratio of liver and kidney were not affected by extract. Furthermore, the extract increased (P<0.001) platelet count, but had no effect on RBC and its indices (mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, and mean cell haemoglobin concentration), Hb and PCV compared to control. It also caused reduction (P<0.001) in WBC and neutrophil counts, while lymphocyte was increased. The result suggests that G. kola seed may have no adverse influence on hematologic, hepatic or renal system, and may additionally have hepato-protective property, and enhance blood clotting and lymphocyte function.