Thesis Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Irvingia gabonensis O’Rorke Baill ethanol leaf extract on kidney function in sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in Wistar albino rats. Forty (40) female Wistar albino rats weighing between 100-161g were grouped into eight (8) groups of five (5) animals each. Group 1 served as the control and was placed on rat feed and water ad libitum.Group 2 was administered 4.1mg/Kg body weight (Kgbw) of sodium arsenite only for 14 days, groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered 4.1mg/Kgbw of sodium arsenite for 14 days and 100mg/Kgbw, 200mg/Kgbw and 400mg/Kgbw of extract, respectively for another 14 days. Groups 6, 7 and 8 were administered 100mg/Kgbw, 200mg/Kgbw and 400mg/Kgbw of extract, respectively for 14 days and treatments lasted for 28 days. Results obtained revealed significant (p<0.05) increases in the serum levels of renal function biomarkers in the groups exposed to sodium arsenite only when compared with control. Treatment with the extract however, at different doses, led to significant (p< 0.05) reductions in serum levels of all assayed renal function biomarkers. Furthermore, treatment with extract only at different doses led to significant (p< 0.05) and non-significant (P˃0.05) reductions in serum levels of assayed renal function biomarkers compared with the control. Ethanol leaf extract Irvingia gabonensis O’Rorke Baill may therefore be of immense therapeutic value in mitigating sodium arsenite-induced kidney dysfunction in Wistar albino rats.

KEYWORDS Irvingia gabonensis O’Rorke Baill, Sodium arsenite, Toxicity, Kidney dysfunction, Biomarkers.

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