Modulation of rat serum lipid profile and nephrotic indices following oral exposure to the extracts of chilli pepper

Background: The increasing application of plants for medicinal purposes necessitates safety/toxicity profiling. Objective: In the present study, we evaluated the toxicological effects of the ethanolic extracts of the leaves (CAL), root (CAR) and stem (CAS) of Capsicum annuum in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned groups and given oral administration of the extracts or distilled water for 28 days. Results: Data showed that administration of ethanolic extracts of CAL, CAR and CAS did alter the liver function indices but not in a clear-cut manner to suggest hepatotoxicity. The CAR and CAS extracts decreased (p Conclusion: Taken together, findings do not only support the cardio-protective potential of C. annuum extracts, but implicate the nephrotoxic tendency of the plant extracts.