ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol leaf extract of Amaranthus
spinosus on kidney and liver function parameters in phenylhydrazine induced anemia in
wistar rats. Twenty five (25) albino rats weighing 155-160g were used for the study. They
were allowed to acclimatize for one week with free access to feed and water. After
acclimatization, they were randomly distributed into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of 5 rats
each. The administration of the leaf extract was oral with the aid of an intubation tube. The
groups received different doses of methanol extract of the plant, Amaranthus spinosus as
follows: Group A: was normal control group administered normal saline and feed. Group
B: was (positive control) group received 10mg/kg body weight of phenylhydrazine
(untreated). Group C: was (standard control) group administered with phenylhydrazine and
treated with Hemoglobin 12 (standard drug). Group D: was induced anaemia and were
treated with 200mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaves,
and Group E: was induced anaemia and were treated with 400mg/kg body weight of
methanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaves. At the end of 28 days the blood samples
were collected from rats through the ocular vein for biochemical and haematological assays
using standard biochemical methods. The results of liver function profile level revealed
significant increase (P>0.05) in alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine amino transferase
(ALT), Aspartate amino transferase (AST), levels in rats treated with the plant extract when
compared to normal control group. The kidney function parameters revealed no significant
difference (P>0.05) in creatinine and urea level in the treated rats and normal control
group. The result of the study therefore, suggests that the leaf extracts are not toxic to the
liver and kidney and could be helpful in treatment of anemia.
Keywords: Amaranthus spinosus, kidney, liver, phenylhydrazine and anemia