Hyperglycemic effect and hypertotoxicity studies of stem bark of <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> and leaf extract of <i>Camellia sinesis</i>

Abstract

Hepatotoxic properties of the aqueous leaves of highland tea (Camellia sinesis) and aqueous stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis were studied in rats. This was done by assaying the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose and bilirubin in rats administered with 6.5mg/Kg (group A), 4.35mg/Kg (group B) and 3.0mg/Kg (group C) of the extract for seven (7) days respectively. The serum AST, ALT, ALP, glucose, bilirubin (total) and bilirubin (direct) in the control rats (group D) were found to be 7.62 + 1.78U/L, 11.2 + 0.38U/L , 144.9 + 23.90U/L , 4.39 + 0.08mmol/l, 0.14 + 0.03mg/dl and 0.18 + 0.04mg/dl respectively. The serum AST, ALT, glucose, bilirubin (total) and bilirubin (direct) in group A rats showed significant increase (P<0.05) compared to the levels in control rats. Serum AST, ALT, ALP, glucose, bilirubin (total and direct) showed significant increase (P<0.05) in groups B and C rats but were lower than those of group A. The results indicate that the extract of Khaya senegalensis stem bark and highland (green) tea leaves caused increased activity of the liver enzymes studied which is an important biochemical symptoms of cytolysis and hepatotoxicity.In addition, administration of the extract led to increase in serum glucose in rats, indicating hyperglycemic effect.

Keywords: Hyperglycemia, Hypertoxicity, Camella sinesis, Extract