Effects of Black Seed (Nigella sativa) and Uziza Leaf (Piper guineense) on Electrolytes, Urea and Creatinine of Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

Aim: For centuries, plant and plant products have played a pivotal role in medication. This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of black seed (Nigella sativa) and uziza leaf (Piper guineense) on electrolytes, urea and creatinine of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats were used for the study; the rats were arranged into five groups with five rats each. Sucrose and margarine were used to induce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia respectively on the rats with the exception of the rats in the positive control group.  The rats in the negative control were induced using the sucrose and margarine but were not treated using the aqueous extracts. The rats in the uziza group were treated with 2 ml of uziza aqueous leaf extract, while the rats in the black seed group were treated with 2 ml of black seed aqueous extract. The rats in the black seed & uziza leaf group were treated with 2ml of the combined aqueous extract. Results: The results showed that the extracts had a decreasing effect which was time dependent on the electrolytes. The highest decrease was obtained on the third week of feeding compared to the control (P=.05). The sodium levels (mmol/L) showed for the negative control (198.23 ± 1.96), positive control (108.15 ± 1.60), uziza leaf (98.28 ± 4.17), black seed (101.67 ± 4.24), black seed & uziza (90.83 ± 2.14).  The decrease for potassium levels (mEq/L) showed for the negative control (0.90 ± 0.06), positive control (0.05 ± 0.10), uziza leaf (0.07 ± 0.18), black seed (0.06 ± 0.19), black seed & Uziza (0.05 ± 0.10). Furthermore, the extracts also had a reducing effect on urea and creatinine levels with the highest reduction obtained on the third week (p=0.05).  The urea levels (mmol/L) showed for the negative control (26.84 ± 0.05), positive control (15.15 ± 1.20), uziza leaf (12.83 ± 0.98), black seed (12.16 ± 2.01), black seed & uziza (11.48 ± 1.78). The extracts also decreased creatinine levels (mmol/L) with the negative control (284.58 ± 0.33), positive control (182.73 ± 3.67), uziza leaf (194.16 ± 18.30), black seed (167.34 ± 14.66), black seed & uziza (174.46 ± 10.66).  Conclusion: The extracts significantly decreased the elevated electrolytes levels and therefore uziza leaf and black seed can be used to restore kidney function.