Evaluation of the Effect of Action Bitters (Herbal Mixture) on Some Biochemical Indices of Albino Rats

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of action bitters on some liver and renal function indices of Albino rats.

Study Design: Experimental rats were divided into two groups A and B. Group A (control rats) consist of 10 rats and were not given herbal drugs while group B (treated rats) consist of 25 rats and were treated orally with 0.68 ml/kg of Action Bitters on a daily basis for 30 days.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria within a period of four months (July 2018 – October, 2018).

Methodology: A total of 35 male albino rats weighing an average of 0.18 kg were separated into two groups namely A and B. Group A had 10 rats and were used as control while Group B had 25 rats and were treated as the test group. Group A rats were fed normally while Group B received water, rat feds and Action Bitters. The action bitters were administered orally using galvage tube at a dose of 0.68/kg bodyweight. After 30th day of treatment, blood samples were collected for analysis of serum Electrolytes, Urea, Creatinine, AST, ALP and ALT. The biochemical parameters were analysed statistically using GraphPad Prism 5.03 version.

Results: Results of renal indices obtained showed that control rats had values of 9.567±6.396, 74.59±40.93, 153±25.67, 111.7±20.23 and 5.767±1.819 for Urea, Creatinine, Potassium, Sodium and Chloride respectively while the treated rats had 11.72±6.142, 122.9±82.16, 152.8±27.57, 116.6±24.98 and 6.156±1.843 for Urea, Creatinine, Potassium, Sodium and Chloride respectively. More so, when liver enzymes were considered, control rats had values of 134.2 ± 52.07, 35.44± 13.82 and 169.2± 71.92 for AST, ALT and ALP respectively while treated rats had values of 139.4 ±44.6, 35.39± 14.39 and 196.9± 65.92 for AST, ALT and ALP respectively. The comparison of control rats and treated rats showed no significant differences in the biochemical indices considered at P=.05.

Conclusion: The study indicated that Action Bitters did not induce any obvious biochemical derangement in liver and renal indices at a dose of 0.68ml/kg bodyweight.