Evaluation of the Effects of Methanolic Extract of Alligator Pepper (Aframomum melegueta) on Serum creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen and Electrolytes in Wistar Albino Rats

The effect of methanolic extract of Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) (AME) on the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and electrolytes were investigated in Wistar albino rats. The extraction was done by cold maceration of pulverized seeds in absolute methanol for 48 hours. The extract was filtered and concentrated in vacuo in a rotary evaporator at 40ºC. Twenty four male albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups of six animals each. Group A served as the control and received 10 ml/kg of 5 % Tween 20 while Group B-D received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively, of the AME for 21 days. Twenty four hours later, blood was collected from the rats through direct cardiac puncture. The separated serum was used to determine the serum creatinine, BUN and electrolyte assay. The extract produced no significant (p > 0.05) difference in mean serum creatinine, BUN and electrolytes level in the treated rats when compared to the control group rats. In conclusion the extract did not exhibit any adverse effect on the kidney at the doses used and for the period of experiment.