Comparative Effects of Sildenafil Citrate and Revive Capsule on Some Liver and Kidney Parameters in Male Albino Rats

¹ Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

² Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Sciences, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author

Onengiyeofori Ibama

Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Science

College of Medical Sciences

Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt

Nigeria

Email: onengs4u@yahoo.com

Phone number: +2348063579481

Abstract

Revive capsule is a polyherbal drug that has been reportedly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or enhancement of libido in men. There are speculations that herbal drugs are relatively safer and more potent than western drugs; this may be true owing to the phytochemicals present in herbs. Contrarily, it is believed that herbal medicines are formulated on a relatively lesser scientific basis compared to the western drugs; hence, this study was aimed at evaluating the comparative effects of Sildenafil citrate (Western drug) and Revive capsule (Polyherbal drug) on some liver and kidney parameters in male albino rats. A total of 21 male albino rats were used for the study, and were divided into three (3) groups of 7 rats each. They were allowed to acclimatize for two (2) weeks by maintaining 12-hour light and dark cycles daily, with access to standard feed and water ad libitum. Group I (Negative Control) rats were administered with distilled water once daily, while groups II and III rats were administered once daily with Sildenafil citrate and Revive capsule respectively for 4 weeks. The rat doses administered were extrapolated from the human dose using the formula by Paget and Barnes. Group II (Viagra group) rats were administered with 4.5mg/kg of Sildenafil citrate, while group III rats were administered with 72mg/kg of Revive capsule. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were allowed to fast overnight, followed by their anaesthetization using chloroform, and blood sample collection via jugular vein puncture. Also, the liver and kidneys were excised and examined histologically. Rat-specific test kit with ELISA method was used to analyze serum Cystatin C, while Randox test kits with colorimetric method were used to analyze AST, ALT, ALP and GGT. The results showed that after 4 weeks of treatment, there were significantly lower serum levels of AST and ALT only in Revive group, and a significantly lower serum ALP level in both Revive and Viagra groups compared to the negative control. Also, photomicrographs of the histologically examined tissues of the treatment groups appeared indifferent from that of the negative control. Based on the rat model used in this study, these findings may suggest that treatment with either Sildenafil citrate or Revive capsule for 4 weeks at their appropriate dosages did not pose hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, but that Revive capsule may rather exert a protective or curative effect on the liver.

Keywords: Revive, Viagra, Sildenafil citrate, Erectile dysfunction, Polyherbal, libido, Phytochemicals

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