Point Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, Vol 1(2). pp.

001-005, July, 2015

Available online at http://www.pjournals.org/PJMMR
Received 09 May, 2015; Accepted 07 June, 2015; Published 17 July, 2015

Full Length Research

Oral administration of aqueous bark extract of Vitex

doniana affects serum electrolytes levels in Albino rats
Ahmad Isah Muhammad1*, Alhassan Muhammad Wudil2, Isa Yunusa1, Zulaihat Gidado
Mukhtar3, Alhassan Abdullahi Sharif4 and Hassan Tijjani Kabara2
1

Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano, Nigeria.
2
Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
3
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, School of Technology, Kano State Polytechnic, Nigeria.
4
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Science, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ahmadsyahd@gmail.com, Tel: +2348037159703.
The bark of Vitex doniana has been in use for many decades in the treatment of many illnesses in
Nigeria and some part of Africa, yet little is known about its effect on serum electrolytes balance in
mammals. This study sought to determine the effect of its aqueous bark extract on serum electrolytes
(Sodium, Potassium, Chloride and Bicarbonate ions) using standard laboratory methods, following 4
weeks oral administration to 30 Albino rats at varied doses (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) with 10 Albino rats
as control group. The values of serum sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate ions for the control
group were 170 5.00, 5.3 0.16, 130 2.00 and 30 2.00 mMol/L, respectively. However, a significant
increase (p < 0.05) in serum potassium ion only was found at 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg. It can be inferred
that V. doniana bark extract at dose 100 mg/kg could be toxic since there is significant increase in
potassium ion without corresponding increase in other electrolytes, a condition which could lead to
acidosis. Therefore, like any other drug, it should be taken at a therapeutic dose to be determined, since
it may help in replenishing loss of potassium ion.
Key words: Vitex doniana, bark, aqueous extract, oral, Albino rats, serum electrolytes.
Citation: Muhammad, A.I., Wudil, A.M., Yunusa, I., Mukhtar, Z.G., Sharif, A.A. and Kabara, H.T. (2015). Oral
administration of aqueous bark extract of Vitex doniana affects serum electrolytes levels in Albino rats. Point J. Med.
Med. Res. 1( 1): 001-005.

INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants have contributed immensely to health
care. This is due in part to the recognition of the value of
traditional medical systems and the identification of
medicinal plants from indigenous pharmacopoeias which
have significant healing power (Mbata and Saika, 2008).
The consumption of a variety of local herbs and
vegetables by man is believed to contribute significantly
to the improvement of human health in terms of
prevention or cure of diseases because plants have long
served as useful and rational sources of therapeutic
agents (Roberts and Tyler, 1999).
Vitex doniana is the most abundant and wide spread
Vitex in savannah regions widely recognized by its long
stalked glabrous leaves with the leaflets usually rounded
at the apex, though sometimes they may be indented or

occasionally have a very short triangular top, with fruits

that are edible (Keay et al., 1964). The tree grows up to
15 m heights and 3 m in girth, with dense rounded crown
and dark green foliage (Keay et al., 1964). Because of
the sweetness of the ripe fruits, a kind of molasses is
made from them. The fruits candy is usually used along
with honey to make sweet called Alawar Dinya (Hausa),
or rather used in sweetening pap of cereals origin. A
beverage can also be made from them. In eastern Sudan
the roasted fruits are used as substitute for tea (Dalziel,
1937). The young leaves are used as vegetables to make
soup. The young cooked leaves are taken along with
ground nut cake, salt and pepper amongst other things,
to make a northern delicacy known as Dinkin dinya
(hausa) (Dalziel, 1937).

Muhammad et al.

The young leafy shoots are used as herbs. In French

and Guinea, an infusion of leaves is given for colds
(Adjanahoun et al., 1991). A mixture of the pounded roots
is used for stomach trouble (Adjanahoun et al., 1991). In
northern Nigeria, the out growths growing on the tree is
used as remedy for leprosy (Dalziel, 1937). A decoction
of the root bark is recommended for children with rickets,
in Ivory Coast (Keharo and Bouquet, 1950). The bark is
used in various Ivory Coast remedies for leprosy and
sterility. The bark decoction is a gargle for mouth
ailments (Keharo and Bouquet, 1950). The bark is used
in western Ashanti for stomach complaints (Dalziel,
1937). The bark and leaves are sometimes given for
diarrhea and dysentery (Dalziel, 1937). In Sierra Leone,
they are considered good for conditions due to A and B
avitaminosis, associated with sores at the corners of the
mouth and eyes and sometimes in advance cases, with
paralytic symptoms (Dalziel, 1937). The leaves are used
by moshi (Ghana) on the cost to keep crocodiles from
water holes (Irvine, 1961). The leaves and bark are also
used in the treatment of inguinal lymphadenitis, asthma,
diarrhea, hemorrhoids, insomnia and nervous disorders
(Adjanahoun et al., 1991). Tijjani et al. (2011) investigated the Phytochemicals and mineral constituents of the
various parts of the plant extract and found the presence
of saponin, tannins, phenols, cardiac glycosides,
flavonoids, sterols and triterpenes as well as high
concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, iron,
phosphorus and sulphur.
The kidney is a chief regulator of all the body fluid and
is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis or
equilibrium of fluid and electrolytes of the body (Williams
et al., 1998). The compromise of kidney functions may be
the result of ischemia caused by reduced blood flow; it
may also result from excessive use of certain drugs
(Stuart, 2004). Adetoro et al. (2013) reported that
application of V. doniana plant would play an important
role in increasing the antioxidant effect and reducing the
oxidative damage that formed both in liver and kidney
tissues. However, stem bark has potential to improve
renal function in normal rats.
Despite the fact that V. doniana bark has been in use for
many decades in the treatment of many illnesses, and as
food, little or nothing was done to find out whether its
consumption brings about changes in electrolytes
balance and buffering system in mammals. Therefore,
this study aimed at determining the effect of V. doniana
aqueous bark extract on serum electrolytes (Sodium,
Potassium, Chloride and Bicarbonate ions) levels, with a
View to suggesting its safety or otherwise.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental animals
The protocol employed met the guidelines of Good

002

Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations of World Health

Organisation and also the guidelines governing handling
of laboratory animals as stipulated by Bayero University,
Kano Nigeria, animal research ethics committee as well
as the principles of laboratory animal care. Apparently,
healthy Albino rats of both sexes weighing between 190
to 270 g were used for the research and were obtained
from the Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero
University Kano, Nigeria. The Albino rats were kept in
well ventilated laboratory cages with 12 h day/night
cycles. They were maintained on a ration containing

commercial poultry feed (Vital Feeds , Jos, Nigeria)

made up of 54% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 2%
minerals, 10% fibre, 1% vitamin and 13% fat. Water was
also supplied ad libitum.

Plant materials
The leaves of the V. doniana were collected from within
Kano metropolis, Kano, Nigeria. It was identified and
authenticated at the specie level at the Herbarium unit of
Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science,
Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. The specimen was
deposited in herbarium with voucher number 73 and plant
number 224. The bark was thoroughly washed and air
dried for 2 weeks to a constant weight. The dried bark
were pounded to fine powder with mortar and pestle, and
then stored in dried containers until needed.
Preparation of extract for animals treatment
The extracts of the bark of the plant were prepared by
suspending 50 g of the bark powder separately in 100
cm3 of distilled water and shaken intermittently with
mechanical shaker for 6 h. The preparation was allowed
to stand for 24 h and then filtered through a Whatmanns
no 1 (11 cm) filter paper. The filtrate was concentrated to
dryness at 40C under reduced pressure on a rotary
evaporator and stored in a refrigerator at -4C until
required.
Animals grouping and doses administered
Forty white Albino rats were divided into four groups of 10
rats each as seen in Table 1. The extract was orally given
by gastric tube for 4 weeks. The volume of the V. doniana
extract administered to each group was calculated using
V = M /100 D/C, where M = Weight of guinea pig in Kg,
D = Dose administered, that is, 100, 150, of 200 mg/kg
body weight and C = Concentration of the prepared
extract in mg/kg. The rats were sacrificed humanely by
jugular decapitation 24 h after the last administration of
the extract and blood samples collected. The samples
were allowed to clot and centrifuged at 3500 rpm for

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Point J. Med. Med. Res.

Table 1. Animals grouping with doses administered.

Group
1
2
3
4

Number of rats
10
10
10
10

Doses of extract
No extract administered
100 mg/kg
150 mg/kg
200 mg/kg

Table 2. Physical examination of the albino rats after oral administration of Vitex doniana
bark` extracts.

Dose of extract
Group 1 (Control)
Group 2 (100 mg/kg)
Group 3 (150 mg/kg)
Group 4 (200 mg/kg)

Physical examination
No physical change
Slightly emaciated
Sluggish and emaciated
Very sluggish and emaciated

Table 3. Weights of Albino rats after administration of Vitex doniana bark extract.
Dose of extract
Group 1 (Control)
Group 2 (100 mg/kg)
Group 3 (150 mg/kg)
Group 4 (200 mg/kg)

Weights (kg)
Before
After
0.36 0.1a
03.7 0.1a
0.35 0.07 b
0.28 0.08b
c
0.30 0.15
0.22 0.11c
d
0.45 0.22
0.31 0.20d

Sample size (n) = 40; Result presented as S.D. Values within the same columns and rows are
considered not significant (p > 0.05).

10 min and serum collected for analysis.

Methods
Serum harvested from the blood samples at the end of
the treatment was used to assay for serum bicarbonate
ion (HCO-3) (Vanslyke, 1924), serum chloride ion (Cl-)
(Schales and Schales, 1941) and sodium and potassium
ions (Margoshes and Valle, 1956).

doniana bark extracts. There is corresponding decline in

agility and increase in sluggishness and emaciation, as
the dose increases. At the dose of 200 mg/kg, the rats
were completely sluggish and emaciated.
Table 3 shows the weight of rats before and after the
administration of the bark extracts of the V. doniana.
Table 4 presents the results of the effects of
administration of V. doniana bark extracts on serum
electrolytes. There is significant change (p < 0.05) in
Serum Sodium, Potassium, Chloride and Bicarbonate
ions in all the groups administered with the aqueous bark
extract of V. donaina.

Statitical analysis
Data for serum electrolytes and animals body weight
were analyzed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
using GraphPad Instat3. statistical software for windows
2007. Values were significant when p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Table 2 shows the results of the physical examination of
the albino rats following 4 weeks oral administration of V.

DISCUSSION
Findings from this research indicated that the albino rats
in the control group and test groups (100 mg/kg) were
slightly emaciated, while those administered with 150 and
200 mg/kg of the extract were sluggish and emaciated.
However, there was no significant (p < 0.05) change in
total weight of the studied animals.
For serum electrolytes, significant increase (P < 0.05)
in the serum potassium ion was observed even at lower

Muhammad et al.

004

Table 4. Effect of Vitex doniana aqueous bark extract administration on Serum Sodium, Chloride, Potassium and Bicarbonat e ions in Albino rats.

Dose of extract
Group 1 (Control)
Group 2 (100 mg/kg)
Group 3 (150 mg/kg)
Group 4 (200 mg/kg)

Serum Sodium
ion (Na+) (mMol/l)
170 5.00
176 8.80*
170 0.58*
171 5.30*

Serum Potassium
ion (K+) (mMol/l)
5.3 0.16
7.1 0.50*
6.9 0.55*
6.1 0.90*

Serum Chloride
ion (CI-) (mMol/l)
130 2.00
134 5.29*
129 1.63*
133 2.30*

Serum Bicarbonate
ion (HCO-3) (mMol/l)
30 2.00
29 3.60*
29 2.10*
30 4.10*

Sample size (n) = 3, * Value is significantly different. Result presented as S.D from the control group (P < 0.05).

dose (that is, 100 mg/kg body weight) of the bark

extract. Moreover, the increase in Serum
Potassium was also dose dependent, but those
with lowest dose (that is, 100 mg/kg body weight)
have highest increase in potassium ion
concentration than those treated with high doses
(that is, 200 mg/kg body weight). Serum
potassium ion concentration of the control group
is between the range of 5.14 and 5.46 m Mol/l.
Moreover, there was significant difference (P <
0.05) in other electrolytes determined (Sodium,
Chloride and Bicarbonate) in all the groups
administered with the aqueous bark extract of the
plant, but this differences were found not be dose
dependent and does not follow any pattern such
with increase or decrease in doses, but rather
inconsistent.
V. doniana has been observed to induce central
sedative or depressant effect, hence could have
affected glomerula filtrations and thereby
decreasing the excretion of substances in the
urine, potassium ion inclusive (Abdulrahman et
al., 2007).
Significant increase (P < 0.05) in the potassium
ion without corresponding increase in other
electrolytes (Sodium, Chloride, Bicarbonate ions),
such condition will result in the loss of acid-base
balance, acute renal failure, over transmission of
nerve impulses especially with heart, over
transformation of carbohydrate into energy

(Carolla et al., 1990).

Clinically electrolyte such as Sodium,
Potassium, Chloride And Bicarbonate ions are
among the parameters that are useful in the
determination of kidney function (Burton, 1997).
The elevation or depletion of the level of any of
them may be an indicator for a kidney problem in
response to which medical checkup for kidney
function is required. Therefore, excessive intake
of this plant bark may pose a threat to kidney
function, if not checked as evidenced by this
research, and especially with the findings of Tijjani
et al. (2011) where the concentration of potassium
in the stem bark was found to be 121 g/g, which
is above the WHO (1999) safety limit of 10 to 100
g/g. From this research, the adverse effect on
the kidney does not corroborates with the findings
of Adetoro et al. (2013) which argues that
application of V. doniana plant would play an
important role in increasing the antioxidant effect
and reducing the oxidative damage that formed
both in liver and kidney tissues and suggested
that the stem bark has potential to improve renal
function in normal rats.
Additionally, in a situation of diseases like
diarrhea, these electrolytes are lost in the fluids
and in the case of excessive intake of these
electrolytes
or
dehydration,
these
ions
concentration increase and balance in them may
be destabilized (Odutola, 1992). Therefore, the

observed significant (P < 0.05) increase in the

potassium ions in all the groups administered with
V. doniana bark extract could be due to intake of
these electrolytes in the aqueous bark extract.
The observed increase in this electrolyte in groups
administered with the aqueous bark extracts of V.
doniana qualifies the usage of the bark in the
treatment of diarrhea and dysentery as reported
by Dalzeiel (1937) and Adjanahoun et al. (1991),
likely targeted at replenishing loss.
The treatment of nervous disorder with leaves
and bark of V. doniana as reported by
Adjanahoun et al. (1991) may be attributed to the
observed increase in Potassium ion in the albino
rats administered with bark extract. Potassium
and Sodium ions are required in the stimulation of
the conduction of nerve impulse and maintenance
of neuro-muscular irritability (Carolla et al., 1990).
The level of aldosterone is very sensitive to the
levels of Sodium and Potassium ions (Murray et
al., 2000). Therefore the usage of V. doniana in
the treatment of asthma may be attributed to the
increased in the Potassium ion, since asthma
could be due to hypersensitivity in host defense
mechanism.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study indicates that V. doniana bark extract at

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Point J. Med. Med. Res.

dose of 100 to 200 mg/kg could be toxic as the

consumption at a dose above 100 mg/kg could lead to
acidosis, since there is significant increase in Potassium
ion without corresponding increase in other electrolytes.
Therefore like any other drug, it should be taken at a
therapeutic dose to be determined, since it has been
found to increase the Potassium ion level, and may help
in replenishing loses. Further studies are however
recommended to determine the effect of V. doniana
consumption on other parameters such as creatinine and
urea which may further reveal the kidney status, as well
as to determine the liver profile on consumption.
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