Biochemical Studies on Toxicity of Yoyo Bitters (A Polyherbal Preparation) on Liver and Kidney Functions of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Management of diseases with herbal preparations is becoming popular, However. there is dirge of scientific evidence on the toxicity and most of the pharmacological claims by manufacturers of these preparations. The toxicity of a popular Nigerian herbal preparation (Yoyo bitters) on the alterations of anatomic and some biochemical functions of the liver of Wister rats was investigated. One hundred Wistar rats in groups of 10 in separate cages over a period of 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days respectively were fed with normal rat chow and given the herbal preparation by gavage. Additional two groups, fed only rat chow, served as controls. Blood was collected and analyzed for total and conjugated bilirubin, total protein and albumin levels and activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) and liver samples. Liver and kidney tissues were processed histologically using haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining methods. Mean values ranged from 0.60±0.10 -- 1.40±0.06 mg/100ml; 0.17±0.05 – 0.64±0.0.10 mg/100ml and 3.60±0.90 – 7.90±1.90g/100ml; 1.40±0.50—4.2±1.40g/100ml for total and conjugated bilirubin and total protein and albumin respectively. Mean values of 0.92±0.20 and 0.27±0.10mg/100ml, 7.8±0.90 and 4.5±0.50g/100ml were also obtained for total and conjugated bilirubin and total protein and albumin levels respectively in control animals; the variations were significant. Mean values of enzyme activities recorded ranged from 88±35 --201±28, 52±23 --172±100 and 146±90--426±71IU/L for ALP, ALT and AST respectively in comparison to mean of 340±151, 158±61 and 347±136 IU/L for ALP, ALT and AST in controls respectively; only the variations in AST was not significant. Mean values ranging from 0.77±0.12 -1.2±0.3mg/100ml; 5.5±0.7 - 7.7±1.8mg/100ml; 8.6±0.5 - 19.1±3.4mg/100ml and 1.4±0.8mg/100ml - 6.5±2.2mg/ml as against 0.8±0.14mg/100ml, 8.2±1.0mg/100ml, 14.3±2.6 and 1.9±0.2mg/ml were obtained for creatinine, Ca2+, Phosphorus and uric acid in experimental and control animals respectively. No gross adverse changes were observed in the microscopic structure of the liver and kidney. Histological examination of the tissues revealed mild alterations in the kidney and liver of the animals, however, there was upregulation in the level of uric acid and bilirubin and reduction in albumin concentrations. Although, administration of this herbal preparation did not show a significant alteration in liver and kidney histology, prolonged administration of the preparation may trigger inflammatory reactions as indicated by alterations in uric acid, bilirubin and albumin levels.