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Toxic and hypericaemic effects of Opuntia megacantha extract in rats
Author(s) -
Bwititi Phillip,
Zamurawo Mika,
Mabhachi George,
Mashanga N.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199708)11:5<389::aid-ptr112>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - uric acid , creatinine , alkaline phosphatase , urine , medicine , chemistry , excretion , endocrinology , urinary system , calcium , biochemistry , enzyme
The effect of O. megacantha extract on blood uric acid levels and other biochemical profiles were investigated over a 5 week period of giving rats an oral dose of 20 mg/100 g body weight of the extract daily. The results show that O. megacantha extract significantly lowered ( p <0.01) serum uric acid and increased renal excretion of uric acid by comparison with controls. Serum creatinine, AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and phosphate levels were significantly raised ( p <0.05) in the experimental group. However serum magnesium, calcium and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) were lowered ( p <0.05) in the same group by comparison with control rats. An increase ( p <0.05) in total water intake, an increase ( p <0.05) in total urinary uric acid excretion as well as a slight increase in total urine voided over the 5 week period were observed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.