Evaluation of the possible hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic potentials of the Averrhoa carambola juice extract in female albino rats. 2019

Patrick E Aba, and Augustus U Amadi
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Enugu State, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria, Phone: +2348062730072.

Background Averrhoa carambola fruit is consumed by many people because of its sweetness and medicinal values. However, there is a dearth of researched information on its complete toxicity profile. This study investigated the possible toxicity potentials of star fruit juice in female albino rats. Methods Thirty-five rats assigned into seven groups of five rats each and administered with varying doses (0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 5000 mg/kg) of the juice were used for acute toxicity studies. Another 20 rats assigned to four groups (A-D) of five rats each were administered the juice at 0, 600, 400 and 200 mg/kg body weight orally for 28 days. On the 29th day, whole blood, sera and vital organs were collected for hematological, serum biochemical and histopathological analyses, respectively. Results Acute study results indicate that the juice was safe even at 5000 mg/kg after 48 h. In the subacute studies, there were no significant (p < 0.05) differences in all hematological parameters, total protein, albumin and globulin values of the treated groups compared with those of the control group. The aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde values of the rats treated with the juice were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the control rats in a dose-dependent manner. The liver and kidney histomorphologies of the rats treated with the juice showed lesions of degeneration and necrosis when compared with those of the control. Conclusion The juice of A. carambola is both nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic but had no deleterious effects on the hematology.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007668 Kidney Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations. Kidneys
D007674 Kidney Diseases Pathological processes of the KIDNEY or its component tissues. Disease, Kidney,Diseases, Kidney,Kidney Disease
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008107 Liver Diseases Pathological processes of the LIVER. Liver Dysfunction,Disease, Liver,Diseases, Liver,Dysfunction, Liver,Dysfunctions, Liver,Liver Disease,Liver Dysfunctions
D010936 Plant Extracts Concentrated pharmaceutical preparations of plants obtained by removing active constituents with a suitable solvent, which is evaporated away, and adjusting the residue to a prescribed standard. Herbal Medicines,Plant Extract,Extract, Plant,Extracts, Plant,Medicines, Herbal
D005260 Female Females
D005638 Fruit The fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a plant, enclosing the seed or seeds. Berries,Legume Pod,Plant Aril,Plant Capsule,Aril, Plant,Arils, Plant,Berry,Capsule, Plant,Capsules, Plant,Fruits,Legume Pods,Plant Arils,Plant Capsules,Pod, Legume,Pods, Legume
D000067030 Fruit and Vegetable Juices The liquids extracted from plants. Fruit Juices,Vegetable Juices,Fruit Juice,Juice, Fruit,Juice, Vegetable,Juices, Fruit,Juices, Vegetable,Vegetable Juice
D000410 Alanine Transaminase An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-alanine and 2-oxoglutarate to pyruvate and L-glutamate. (From Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992) EC 2.6.1.2. Alanine Aminotransferase,Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase,SGPT,Alanine-2-Oxoglutarate Aminotransferase,Glutamic-Alanine Transaminase,Alanine 2 Oxoglutarate Aminotransferase,Aminotransferase, Alanine,Aminotransferase, Alanine-2-Oxoglutarate,Glutamic Alanine Transaminase,Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase,Transaminase, Alanine,Transaminase, Glutamic-Alanine,Transaminase, Glutamic-Pyruvic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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