|
Effects of Landolphia
owariensis leaf extract on the liver function profile
and haemoglobin concentration of albino rats
L. A. Nwogu*, C. U. Igwe
and A. A. Emejulu
Department of Biochemistry, Federal
University
of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Corresponding author. E-mail: nwogulinus@yahoo.com.
Accepted
9
December, 2008 |
|
The effects
of aqueous extract of Landolphia owariensis
leaves on the biochemical indices of liver function were
investigated in Wister strain of albino rats. Preliminary
phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves showed the
presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins.
Acute toxicity tests of the extract gave an LD50
of 3370 mg/kg. Liver function tests revealed that the serum
activities of alanine aminotransferrase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as
well as the concentrations of total protein and albumin were
not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the oral
administration of the extract. However, bilirubin and
haemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly (p<0.05)
on administration of the extract. The results suggest that
L. owariensis leaf extract is not hepatotoxic
in rats. The findings are of clinical importance given the
various reported therapeutic potentials of the plant.
Key
words: Landolphia owariensis,
hepatotoxicity, LD50, haemoglobin. |
