Browsing by Author "Gitonga, Godfrey"

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Nephrotoxicity effects of Khat (Catha edulis) on mice when administered orally
(2017-03) Kimutai, Rogers; Gitonga, Godfrey
Renal problems are currently on increase worldwide. Some factors suspected to be the cause of the renal problems are drug abuse. Hence, this study investigated possible renal toxicity effect of Khat in male albino mice. Khat alkaloids were extracted from fresh Khat shoots and leaves. The Khat extract were administered orally through intubation. Accordingly, forty- five albino mice (20 – 25g) were distributed randomly into nine groups (n = 5). Negative controls (NCs) received purely distilled water. Positive controls (PCs) received indomethacin at a dosage of 2mg/Kg/day as a twice dose per day. Test groups received Khat extract administered in combination of 2ml tea, 2ml water, 2ml milk, 2ml coffee, 2ml coke, 2g patico sweet and 2g groundnut. To each test group Khat extract was administered at a dosage of 2000mg/Kg/day for four weeks. Blood samples were collected from all animals for biochemical analysis after four weeks which included the renal function tests such as serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. The histological and cytological studies were done using H&E staining technique. There was an increased level of renal biochemical markers in all albino mice serum exposed to Khat extract. There was a significant different between levels of renal biochemical enzymes biomarkers at p<0.05. There were signs of adverse effects of Khat on kidney of mice
Phytochemical screening and antipyretic activities of dichloromethanemethanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Ximenia americana in rat models
(2017-07) Gaichu, Daniel; Musyoki, Mawia A .; Gitonga, Godfrey; Ngugi, Mathew P.; Mburu, David
Introduction: In most parts of Africa, Ximenia americana is used in folklore to treat various disorders such as oedema, pain, fever, helminthiasis, diarrhoea, burns among other diseases. This study tested the antipyretic activities of dichloromethane-methanolic (DCM-MeOH) stem bark and leaf extracts of X. Americana in rats. Qualitative phytochemical screening was also done to evaluate the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids in the extract. Methods: The plant materials were collected from Mbeere North sub-county, Embu county, Kenya. Methanol and dichloromethane in the ratio of 1:1 was used to extract the active compounds. Two to three months old male Wister rats were employed for the antipyretic studies. Animals were divided into six groups of five rats each: Normal, negative, reference and three experimental groups (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight). Pyrexia was induced experimentally using turpentine. The experimental groups were treated with predetermined dose quantities of prepared extracts. Aspirin was used as the reference drug. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The extracts from the leaves lowered rectal temperature by 0.45% to 2.11% while the stem bark extracts lowered rectal temperature in the range of 0.71% to 2.13%. Aspirin lowered the rectal temperature in the range of 0.74% and 1.67%. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids in the extract. Conclusion: DCM-MeOH leaf and stem bark extracts of X. Americana is effective in management of fever and therefore it can be explored as a possible bio-resource in the development of herbal antipyretic medicines.