Assessment of the Effect of Hydro-Ethanolic Extracts of Xylopia aethiopica and Zingiber officinale on Some Haematological and Biochemical Profiles in Wistar Rats

Abstract

In recent years, plant-derived natural products have gained significant attention for their diverse pharmacological benefits. This study assessed the effect of hydro-ethanolic extracts of Xylopia aethiopica (locally called Uda) and Zingiber officinale on some haematological and biochemical profiles in Wistar rats. A total of 55 albino rats weighing about 120g were assigned to five groups. The first group acted as the control, while the other four groups received a daily dose of 100mg/kg body weight of Xylopia aethiopica and Zingiber officinale extracts, along with the drug Astymin, for 28 days. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture from each animal to assess specific biochemical and haematological parameters. The statistical analysis used was Graph Pad Prism version 9.02. The results showed that extracts, both individually and in combination, significantly reduced renal and liver inflammation, as indicated by lower levels of creatinine, urea, chloride, potassium, and aminotransferases (AST and ALT). Both extracts reduced cardiovascular disease risk by lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL-cholesterol. Xylopia aethiopica reduced triglycerides to 0.68 ± 0.01 mmol/L, while Zingiber officinale reduced them to 0.95 ± 0.01 mmol/L, both significantly lower than the control value of 1.16 ± 0.03 mmol/L. For HDL-cholesterol, Xylopia aethiopica increased it to 1.18±0.01 mmol/L, Zingiber officinale to 0.81 ± 0.01 mmol/L, and the combination to 1.23 ± 0.02 mmol/L, all significantly higher than the control level of 0.98 ± 0.01 mmol/L. The study indicates that both extracts, at a 100 mg/kg dose for up to 4 weeks, are safe for therapeutic use without causing organ toxicity.