Nephroprotective effects of methanolic extract of Cucumis metuliferus fruit in cockerels

Serum chemical and haematological analyses together with physical examination can provide important information on animal’s health status; and are important in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and especially in avian species that somewhat show minimal overt clinical signs of disease, even when seriously ill. This study aimed at establishing the effect of crude methanolic extract of Cucumis metuliferus on serum biochemical indices associated with kidney functions in cockerels. The fruits of C. metuliferus were collected in Vom village, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria in Nov. 2012. The plant was identified and authenticated by a plant Taxonomist in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri. The grounded fruit was serially extracted (cold maceration) using solvents of different polarities. This was kept in an air-tight container until used. The crude methanolic extract being the most active was used for sub-acute toxicity studies in cockerels. Serum biochemicals relevant to kidney function (urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate) were determined weekly for three weeks (day 7, 14 and 21). After stoppage of the treatment, serum was also collected a week later (day 28), for the determination of same biochemicals in order to establish the withdrawal effect. Data obtained were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and results expressed as mean ± standard deviation (S.D) where p