Study the effect of Valeriana Officinalis and Echium Amoenum on the liver and renal function tests in rats

Nowadays herbal medicine is marketing without standard toxicological study. Although people believe that herbal medicine do have any toxic effects, there are some reports indicating the toxicity of the herbal medicine. The aim of this investigation is to study the renal and hepatic effects of Echium Amoenum (EA) and Valeriana Officinalis (VO). Percolated extract of these plants with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg was administrated to 5 groups of rats via orogastric tube for 7 days. At the 8th day, the blood samples were taken for biochemical studies. The results showed significant variation of the levels of AST, ALT and AlkP in comparisons with control groups. AlkP was increased significantly after oral administration of 2 extracts with dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. ALT was decreased with dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg of VO significantly but AST increased significantly only with dose of 100 mg/kg. ALT was decreased with dose of 100 mg/kg of EA but increased only with dose of 200 mg/kg (P<0.01). AST did not change with dose of 100 mg/kg, but decreased significantly with dose of 200 mg/kg (P<0.01). Renal function tests including BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and creatinine did not change significantly after oral administration of 2 extracts. The data of this investigation indicate that hepatotoxic effect of extract of EA was greater than VO especially at high dosage.