Full Length Research Oral administration of aqueous bark extract of Vitex doniana affects serum electrolytes levels in Albino rats Ahmad Isah Muhammad 1 *, Alhassan Muhammad Wudil 2 , Isa Yunusa 1 , Zulaihat Gidado Mukhtar 3 , Alhassan Abdullahi Sharif 4 and Hassan Tijjani Kabara 2 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). 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