The effect of ethanol extract of the leaves Piliostigma thonningii on haematological and kidney function indices was investigated in Wistar albino rats. Fifteen (15) male Wistar albino rats were allowed to acclimatize to laboratory handling and conditions for seven (7) days, following which they were randomly assigned into three (3) study groups A, B and C of (5) rats each based on average body weight. Rats in groups B and C were administered orally with 200mg/kg body weight and 400mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for (21) days. Rats in group A served as the control and were administered with distilled water only for an experimental period of 21 days. Twenty four hours after the last oral administration, the rats were sacrificed. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture and tissue for analysis using standard methods and enzyme kits. The extract produced a significant (p<0.05) decrease on red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), MCV, lymphocytes and neutrophils counts while no significant difference ( p>0.05)was observed for packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) respectively relative to the control. Serum electrolyte analysis also revealed that the extract produced a significant (p<0.05) decrease on Na+, Cl-, and HCO3 - ion concentrations, and a significant increase (p<0.05) for K+ and PO4 2- concentrations. The extract administration produced a significant (p<0.05) increase on serum Creatinine concentration and only a significant reduction at 200mg/kg body weight for urea concentration. The extract induced a significant (p<0.05) reductions of serum AST and ALT activities while a significant increase was observed for serum ALP. Also, a significant (p<0.05) decrease was observed for kidney ALP and ALT activities while a significant increase was observed for kidney AST activity. These results are clear a manifestation that the use of the extract in phytotherapy may produce adverse side effects such as anaemia and renal impairment.
