Abstract

W. Obidah*, U. A. Saâ??ad and A. U. Wurochekke

The aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana stem bark was administered to groups of 4 albino rats (160 ± 10 g) at 0, 20, 60 or 180 mg/kg body weight daily by gavages for six weeks. A 7% decrease in mean body weight gain was observed in the group treated with the highest concentration of the extract (180 mg/kg). Groups treated with the extract showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum ALT and AST activity. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum urea and creatinine concentrations, together with decrease in serum total protein concentrations were observed in the group treated with 180mg/kg body weight of the extract. These results indicate that oral administration of aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana stem bark to rats result in hepatotoxicity even at lower dose levels of 20 - 60 mg/kg and nephrotoxicity at higher doses of 180 mg/kg.