Effects of aqueous extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. fruit on serum creatinine, urea and some electrolytes in rats pre-fed 1% cholesterol and groundnut oil

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the effect of the aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. in hypercholesterolaemic rats. The plant material was Soxhlet-extracted with distilled water and the extract was concentrated in vacuo with a yield of 15.34 % /w. The extract was stored in a specimen bottle at room temperature until when required. The kidney function parameters- w serum creatinine, urea and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphates) were determined. The results showed that with increase in extract dose, the creatinine level increased significantly (p<0.05) whilst the change in urea was not significant (p>0.05). The effect of the aqueous extract on the electrolytes showed that both sodium and phosphate dose-dependently increased and the increase was significant (p<0.05). Calcium dose-dependently decreased and the decrease was not significant
(p>0.05). The change in calcium with increase in extract dose was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The increase in sodium ion could be due to the high level of Sodium in the plant or as a result of loss of body fluid. Elevated levels of creatinine observed in this study may be due to impaired kidney function.