eng Oriental Scientific Publishing Company Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia 0973-1245 2021-10-27 18 3 585 590 10.13005/bbra/2942 39498 article Somke Pamela Madueke 1 Princewill Ikechukwu Ugwu 1 Chinaza Amarachi Uguru 1 Adaobi Pearl Okeke 1 Okechukwu Matthew Omire-Oluedo 1 Sandra Ugonne Ugwu 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. BACKGROUND: Piper guineense seed is a well known spice consumed in many parts of West Africa as a result of its nutritional and medicinal properties. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five per group. The phytochemical analyses was done; different concentration of aqueous seed extract of Piper guineense was administered for 21 days to three experimental groups, Group 2 (25 mg/kg), Group 3 (50 mg/kg), Group 4 (100 mg/kg), while group 1 were given only rat feed and water. RESULTS: The investigation revealed that in low and medium dose groups, creatinine (62.3±7.3 to 51.1±4.5 and 51.1±8.1 respectively) and urea (6.6±1.3 to 5.2±0.8 and 4.8±1.0) levels decreased significantly while in high dose group, creatinine (62.3±7.3 to 66.9±11.0) and urea (6.6±1.3 to 7.0±0.8) increased significantly. There was a dose dependent increase in the serum electrolyte (sodium, potassium, chlorine and bicarbonate). Only bicarbonate (19.1±0.8 to 24.3±1.3) and chloride (102.4±3.8 to 107.0±1.6) had significant increase in their values. The histological study showed that at a low (25mg/kg) and medium dose (50mg/kg) of aqueous seed extract of Piper guineense the normal cyto-architecture of the kidney was maintained while in high dose group (100mg/kg) normal cyto-architecture of the kidney was distorted. CONCLUSION: The result obtained suggests that Piper guineense seed may not be harmful at a moderate dose; but high doses could be toxic. Caution should be taken on the quantity of Piper guineense seed consumed. https://www.biotech-asia.org/vol18no3/continuous-intake-of-high-doses-of-piper-guineense-ashanti-pepper-aqueous-seed-extract-impairs-renal-function-in-wistar-rats/ Aqueous; Kidney; Piper Guineense; Rats