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Effects of aqueous extract
from the leaves of Chrysocoma ciliata L. on some
biochemical parameters of Wistar rats
A. O. T. Ashafa, M. T. Yakubu, D. S. Grierson and A. J.
Afolayan*
Department
of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South
Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
Aafolayan@ufh.ac.za.
Tel: +27822022167. Fax: +27866282295.
Accepted
9 February, 2009 |
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The effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of
Chrysocoma ciliata leaves at 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg
body weight for 14 days on some biochemical parameters of
male rats was investigated. The extract did not have any
significant effect (p > 0.05) on the serum concentrations of
sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, calcium, albumin,
magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, uric acid, globulin and
total protein as well as the red blood cell (RBC),
hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular
volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
and red cell distribution width (RCW). While the WBC was
reduced at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, the 200 and 400
mg/kg body weight increased the blood parameter. The 50, 100
and 200 decreased the MCV. The doses increased the levels of
large unstained cells (LUC), neutrophils, eosinophils, serum
alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alanine
and aspartate aminotransaminases whereas the lymphocytes,
basophils, serum total and conjugated bilirubin were
decreased in the animals. The platelet levels fluctuated
throughout the experimental period. The level of the
monocyte was only increased at 100 mg/kg body weight of the
extract. The 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the
extract decreased the serum cholesterol concentration in the
animals, whereas the 400 mg/kg body weight increased the
lipid parameter. Similarly, the 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body
weight also decreased the serum triacylglycerol of the
animals. The HDL-C, LDL-C and atherogenic index compared
favourably with the control. While there was no significant
change at all the doses investigated in the kidney and
heart-body weight ratios, the extract at 50 and 400 mg/kg
body weight increased the liver-body weight ratio. In
contrast, the 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight decreased
the testes-body weight ratio. The parameter and dose
specific effect of the extract on the biochemical parameters
suggest selective toxicity.
Key
words:
Chrysocoma ciliata, function indices, serum lipids,
haematological parameters, selective toxicity. |
