Determination of Phytochemical Composition and the Effects of Ethanol Extract of Phyllanthus urinaria on the Liver and Kidney Function Parameters in Paracetamol-Administered Albino Rat Models

The current study was aimed at determining the phytochemical composition and the effects of Phyllantus urinaria Ethanol extract on the liver and kidneys by using albino rats as the animal models. All the analyses were carried out following standard laboratory methods and procedures. A total of fifteen rats were randomly distributed into three groups of five rats in each group where group one served as the control while the test groups comprise of 1000mg/kg body weight (b.w) and 500mg/kg b.w administered daily for fourteen days and followed by administration of a high dose of paracetamol (200mg/kg b.w) to challenge the system toxicologically. This was deliberately done to note whether the extract having administered for many days will protect the liver and kidneys against the paracetamol by determining the serum biomarkers. The results showed the presence of saponins (8.84 g/100g), tannins (1.32 g/100g), phenols (0.11 g/100g), flavonoids (0.512 g/100g) and alkaloids (0.038 g/100g) while cardiac glycosides, Resins, terpenoids and steroids were not detected. The activity of ALP was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in both the 1000mg/kg b.w and 500mg/kg b.w. There was no significant (p>0.05) decrease in ALT activity of 1000mg/kg b.w and at 500mg/kg b.w. the activity of ALT significant (p>0.05) increased when compared with the control. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in AST activity of 1000mg/kg b.w and 500mg/kg b.w when compared with the control. Bilirubin concentration significantly (p< 0.05) decreased at 1000mg/kg b.w and non-significantly (p>0.05) increased at 500mg/kg b.w. ALB significantly (p > 0.05) increased at 1000mg/kg b.w and 500mg/kg b.w. A non-significant decrease in Serum HCO3- in both 1000mg/kg/b.w and 500mg/kg b.w. Urea non-significantly decreased at both 1000mg/kg b.w and 500mg/kg b.w. Creatinine significantly increased at both 1000mg/kg b.w and 500mg/kg b.w concentration when compared to the control. Na+ showed a non-significant increase at 1000mg/kg b.w and 500mg/kg b.w when compared to the control. The extract may not have protected the liver and kidneys against paracetamol despite the presence of some phytochemicals, a histological examination of the liver and kidneys is therefore recommended so as to have a clearer picture of the effects observed.