Nephrotoxicity of Ethanol Extract of Xylopia aethiopica

  ABSTRACT  Background: The  use  of  Xylopia  aethiopica  fruit  in  folklore  medicine  is  on  the  increase  without regard to its toxicity. Aim: This study was aimed at examining its toxicity on the kidney of Wistar rats. Methodology:  The  fruits  of  Xylopia  aethiopica  were  air-dried  and  extracted  using  Soxhlet apparatus  and  ethanol  as  solvent.  The  median  lethal  dose  (LD50)  of  the  extract  was  determined using standard method. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six rats each. Animals in groups A, B, C, and D were administered 129.62, 259.23, 388.85 and 518.46 mg/kg body weight of X.  aethiopica  fruit  extract  respectively,  while  those  in  group  E  received  normal  feeds  and  water only.  The  administration  was  done  once  daily  for  28  days  via  oral  route.  Renal  indices  were determined using standard methods. Results:  Elevation  in  creatinine  and  urea  levels was  observed  when  experimental  animals  were compared  with  those  in  control  group.  This  elevation  was  insignificant  at  a  low  dose  of  129.62 mg/kg  but  significant  (P