en عمومى General پژوهشي Research <p><strong>Background:</strong> The alcoholic decoction of root ethanolic extract of <em>Aristolochia ringens </em>is taken orally to treat various ailments in South-west Nigeria without prior knowledge of its potential toxic effect. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the toxicity potentials of root ethanolic extract of <em>A. ringens </em>on functional indices and histology of the liver.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Twenty male rats were randomized into four groups of five animals each. Group A (control) received 0.5 ml of distilled water, group B, C and D received 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg b. wt. of the extract respectively. The administration was done orally and lasted for fourteen days.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The extract significantly reduced the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as reduction in the level of serum albumin and direct bilirubin (<em>P</em><0.05) while the level of total bilirubin increased. The activities of these enzymes i.e. ALP, ALT and AST increased in the serum at all the doses investigated.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Ethanolic extract from <em>A. ringens</em> root may not be completely safe when administered repeatedly.</p> Aristolochia ringens, Functional indices, Hepatocytes, Toxicity. Aristolochia ringens, Functional indices, Hepatocytes, Toxicity. 55 58 http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-393-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Abdulhakeem Olarewaju Sulyman abdulhakeem.sulyman@kwasu.edu.ng 10031947532846005838 10031947532846005838 Yes Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology (Biochemistry Unit), Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Nigeria. Jubril Olayinka Akolade 10031947532846005839 10031947532846005839 No MSc of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Sheda, Abuja, Nigeria. Asiat Na’Allah b 10031947532846005840 10031947532846005840 No Department of Biological Sciences (Biochemistry Unit) Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria. Raliat Abimbola Aladodo 10031947532846005841 10031947532846005841 No Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology (Biochemistry Unit), Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Nigeria. Habeeb Olasunkanmi Jamiu 10031947532846005842 10031947532846005842 No Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology (Biochemistry Unit), Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Nigeria.