Toxic effects of aqueous stem bark extract of Cassia sieberiana on some biochemical parameters in rats.

The aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana stem bark was administered to groups of 4 albino rats (160 ± 10 g) at 0, 20, 60 or 180 mg/kg body weight daily by gavages for six weeks. A 7% decrease in mean body weight gain was observed in the group treated with the highest concentration of the extract (180 mg/kg). Groups treated with the extract showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum ALT and AST activity. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum urea and creatinine concentrations, together with decrease in serum total protein concentrations were observed in the group treated with 180mg/kg body weight of the extract. These results indicate that oral administration of aqueous extract of Cassia sieberianastem bark to rats result in hepatotoxicity even at lower dose levels of 20 - 60 mg/kg and nephrotoxicity at higher doses of 180 mg/kg.   Key words: Cassia sieberiana, oral, rats, repeated dose toxicity.