ABSTRACT
Terminalia catappa, (tropical almond) have been found to be abundant in phytonutrients and to have medicinal properties based on various studies. Rohypnol is a potent benzodiazepine drug known for its sedative and hypnotic effects. The aim of this study was to check for the ameliorative properties of Terminalia catappa leaf extract on the hepatic and renal tissues of albino Wistar rats previously administered with rohypnol. A total of twenty (20) mature albino Wistar rats were divided into five (5) groups with four (4) rats in each group namely: group A, B, C, D and E.(control, positive, negative, and two counter groups respectively). The parameters which include liver (AST, ALP, ALT, CB, TB, TP, albumin and globulin) and kidney (sodium ion, urea, chloride ion, potassium ion, bicarbonate ion and creatinine) biomarkers as well as histopathological changes were assayed. The statistical software SPSS version 20 (statistical package for social sciences) was used to analyze the generated data. When compared between the various groups, there was statistical significant difference at p<0.05 of only one of the biomarkers which was in ALP level. From the study, it was confirmed that there was a rise in ALP value in group B (291.5±22.50*) which may indicate cirrhosis of the liver. In histological findings, group A (control group) and group B (the positive control group) had normal hepatic and renal tissue structures. Group C (the negative control group) had microvacuolations of the hepatocytes and fatty deposit around the sinusoids of the hepatic tissue and for the renal tissue, renal tubular erosion. Group D had both microvacuolation and macrovacuolation of hepatocytes and fatty deposits around the sinusoids in the hepatic tissue and there was normal medulla and cortex in the renal tissue. Group E had microvacuolation of the hepatocytes and fatty deposit around the sinusoids in the hepatic tissue and tubular and glomeruli shrinkage in the renal tissue. The findings in group D and group E indicates no significant effect of Terminalia catappa leaf extract on rohypnol induced toxicity of hepatic and renal tissues of albino Wistar rats. Futher studies should be conducted to determine suitable dosages of Terminalia catappa leaf extract that can have ameliorative effects on the hepatic and renal toxicity induced by rohypnol in albino Wistar rats.
