Abstract

SUBCHRONIC EVALUATION OF THE ETHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF ENANTIA CHLORANTHA IN RODENTS (BIOCHEMICAL, HAEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND EFFECT ON BODY WEIGHT)

Bassey A. L.*, Nwafor P. A., Udobang J. A. and Ettebong E. O.

Abstract

Enantia chlorantha is a medicinal plant used to treat malaria and other febrile illnesses in the southern and other parts of Nigeria. Aim of study: To determine the biochemical and haematological properties of ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Enantia chlorantha in rodents in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. Materials and methods: Adult albino rats weighing 120-160 g of both sexes were used. They were randomly divided into four (4) groups of six (6) animals per group. Group 1 received 10 ml/kg, (p.o.) of distilled water. Groups 2-4 were given the extract (32.40, 64.80 and 96.20 mg/kg, i.p.) respectively. The extract was given at 9 am on alternate days for 28 days while toxic manifestations and mortality were being recorded. Weight changes were noted once a week. On day 29, the animals were fasted overnight and light chloroform anaesthesia was administered and blood samples collected for haematological and biochemical investigations. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume were determined using automatic counter system (K 21, Tokyo, Japan). The biochemical parameters were determined from serum obtained after centrifugation of total blood without anticoagulant at 2500 rpm for 15 min. Standardized diagnostic kits and spectrophotometer were used for determining the following: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase, Creatinine, Urea, Total cholesterol, Total and Direct bilirubin, Total protein, Albumin Na+, K+, Cl- levels. An autopsy was performed during which any macroscopic abnormalities were noted. The heart, kidney, liver, spleen and lungs and ovaries were removed and weighed. Samples of these organs were fixed in 10 % neutral formalin and kept in that solution for further Histopathological examination. Results: RBC, MCV, Hb and PCV values were not significantly affected although there was a dose dependent increase in platelet count that was significant (p<0.01) at lower doses compared to control. Conclusion: The above results show that the plant is safe for use and therefore supports the traditional use of Enantia chlorantha stem bark in treating various febrile conditions in Akwa Ibom state Nigeria.

Keywords: Enantia chlorantha, haematological, biochemical, body weight stem bark, rodents.