TOXIC EFFECTS OF HERBAL MEDICINE (GOLDEN SEED) ON THE LIVER AND KIDNEY OF LABORATORY RATS

ABSTRACT Medical plants have shown to possess some biological constituents that have significant effect in man. This study was carried out to evaluate the toxic effect herbal mixture (golden seed) herbal mixture on the kidney and liver of laboratory rats. A bottle of golden herbal mixture was purchased from the market and phytochemical analysis was done using standard method. A total of 25 rats weighing 102-160kg were used. laboratory rats were obtained from the Small Animal Production Unit in university of Nigeria Nsukka, weighed and two cages were used to separate the male and female rats involved. The first week started with weighing of the rat with a weighing balance. Two cages were used male and female rats were involved, the rats were differentiated into different cages. In all cases, animals were killed at 24h following the last dose. Animals were anaesthetized, the abdomen was opened and the blood, liver and kidney were taken, cut into small pieces and fixed in Orth's fixative. The blood collection was done through the eyes and vein, after the blood liver and kidney was collected it was sent to histopathology. The rats treated with herbal medicine demonstrated toxic changes in their liver and kidney. Liver showed damaged hepatocytes with macrophage infiltration. Kidney displayed interstitial bleeding, arterial and arteriolar wall thickening and glomerulosclerosis. Findings in this study go with the previously published reports on the damaging effect of exogenous toxins and plants extracts on the liver and kidney. This work demonstrated the importance of safety studies on herbal drugs.