Canadian Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences

Abstract: This study assessed the renal toxicity potentials of Telfairia occidentalis Hook f, a widely consumed vegetable in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Fifty healthy adult Wistar albino rats were randomly selected and divided into two groups A and B. Each group was divided into 5 sub-groups: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Subgroup 1 served as the control group and was fed with standard animal feed only, while sub-groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were test groups, and in addition to the standard animal feed, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 2000mg/kg and 4000mg/kg extract of Telfairia occidentalis leaves was orally gavaged to the test groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Animals in group A were tested for acute effect after 10 days of extract administration. Those in group B were similarly assessed for sub-acute effect after 4 weeks of extract administration. Acute phase of extract administration produced significant increases only in K+ and urea levels at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively. In the sub-acute phase, significant increases in total body weight (P < 0.01), kidney weight (P < 0.01), kidney to body weight ratio (P < 0.001), K+ (P < 0.001), HCO- 3 (P < 0.01) and urea (P < 0.01) were obtained. The effect of the extract on renal function indices may be dose-dependent, hence dosage adjustment may be necessary in patients with renal impairment.