ABSTRACT
We have examined the cumulative effects of the protoberberine alkaloidal fraction (AF) of the stein bark ethanolic extracts of Enantia chlorantha on some body tissues and organs as well as on certain biochemical and metabolic parameters in mice. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of the alkaloidal fractions of Enantia chlorantha were carried out in 120 mice using oral and intraperitoneal administrations. Fatality was not recorded in mice injected intraperitonealy with 100 mg kg(-1) and 150 mg kg(-1) dose level but larger doses resulted in death and the mean lethal dose (LD50) toxicity studies showed neither behavioural/untoward reactions nor death in any of the animals. The histopathological examination of the test animals when compared with the control revealed that, the sub-chronic use of the alkaloidal fractions does not have any pathological effects (lesion) on the organs examined (the stomach, the kidney, the oesophagus and the liver) except the lungs which showed mild and moderate oedema. The biochemical and metabolic analysis of the mice plasma did not show any significant difference when the corresponding values for the test mice were compared with the control mice (P > 0.05) at the end of the 14 days treatment using both 20 mg kg(-1) and 2 mg kg(-1) dose levels. The results obtained in this study suggest the relative safety of short-term use of preparations containing E. chlorantha, a very popular antimalarial herbal remedy in Southern Nigeria.
Subject(s)
Annonaceae , Berberine Alkaloids/toxicity , Medicine, African Traditional , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Animals , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Female , Lethal Dose 50 , Male , MiceABSTRACT
The extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. (MALVACEAE) is popularly consumed and assumed to have haematological benefits, but no scientific investigations are known in the literature to have been conducted to corroborate this claim. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Calyx extract on some haematological parameters (Haemoglobin, haematocrit, total white blood cells and differentials) in rats, with a view to determining its medicinal usefulness in the treatment of anaemia. Proximate analysis on dry matter basis, and mineral clement analysis were carried out on dried calyx of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Different doses of aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L calyx extract (200 - 1000 mg/ kg body wt.) were administered orally by intra Ocsophageal cannulation to four groups of six animals (rats) per group for 14 days. Venous blood samples were collected from each animal in all the groups including the control group on days 0 and 14 of the experiment for haematological investigations. Paired stat analysis of day 0 and day 14 results was done for each group using student's T-test. Proximate and mineral analysis of dry calyx confirmed the presence of some nutrients, e.g. protein, mineral elements (potassium) and Vitamin C in the calyx. After 14 days of the extract administration, significant elevations were observed in haematocrit (P = 0.03) and haemoglobin (P = 0.004) in the groups of animals given doses of 200 mg and 400 mg per kg (P < 0.05) while the groups given high doses revealed significant reductions (P 0.031) in the haematocrit but not in haemoglobin. This study suggests that, aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. calyx used in this experiment had beneficial effects on the red cells at low doses (200 mg-400 mg/kg) which may not be sustained at higher doses. However, the long-term effects and the possible mechanism (s) of action of the extract should be studied before a recommendation could be made.
