Toxicological evaluation of Hb cleanser® bitters on biochemical parameters in Wistar rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of HB Cleanser bitters on biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats. Twenty-eight animals were assigned into four groups of seven animals each. Groups A, B, C received 1, 1.03 and 1.29 ml/kg of the HB bitters respectively while group D (control), received 1 ml normal saline. All administrations were done orally and daily for 28 days. The feed and fluid intake were measured daily and the body weight weekly. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity results showed that the LD50 of HB Cleanser Bitters was greater than 5000 mg/kg with no mortality. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight. In addition, HB bitters caused at 1 ml/kg significant (P<0.05) increase in total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and urea more than the other doses compared to negative control. A significant (P<0.05) decrease was observed in the levels of total protein and albumin compared to negative control. The findings from this study showed that HB cleanser Bitters may adversely affect hepatic and renal indices and therefore should be used with caution.