European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Dr. Ejoba R

Abstract
The biochemical and histopathological effects of ethanol extract of powdered saccharum berberi stem on albino wistar rats and Guinea pigs were carried out, Forty albino wistar rats and forty guinea pigs of mixed sexes were randomly assigned into four study groups of ten (10) each. Group I is the control group while group II, III and IV received a gradual dose of 100mg/Kg, 200mg/Kg and 300mg/kg body weight respectively for a period of twenty one days. The serum enzymes: - Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), α- glutamyl transferase (GGT) and liver histopathology were assessed. The plant extract produced a significant effect on the serum enzymes for both animals at P< 0.05. There was little damage to the liver progressively. The extract appeared to be safe at the dose level of 300mg/Kg body weight in albino wistar rats and Guinea pigs, however due to the progression with the dose level, a more serious damage could arise at higher concentrations.