Biochemical and Haematological Changes in Albino Wistar Rats Following Administration of Eleophorbia drupifera Leaves Extract

Abstract

Different parts of the plant Eleophorbia drupifera have been reportedly used for treatment of various ailments. This study aimed at evaluating the toxicological potential of the leaves of this plant in order to caution or encourage its use in traditional medicine. Water and ethanol-water extracts of Eleophorbia drupifera leaves were administered orally in graded doses of 0.5ml (147.06mg/kg body weight), 1.0ml (303.3mg/kg body weight) water extract and 0.5ml (157.66mg/kg body weight), 1.0ml (301.72mg/kg body weight) ethanol-water extract to experimental animals for 3 weeks. The effect of the extracts on some biochemical and haematological parameters were evaluated in albino rats. At the end of 21 days, the AST and ALT levels of the test groups were significantly lower than the control (p<0.05) and total bilirubin showed significantly high values in test groups when compared with the control (p<0.05). The WBC was significantly increased while the RBC was decreased when compared with the control (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in PCV and Hb of the experimental animals (p<0.05).There was no significant difference between the effects of the water extract and that of the ethanol-water extract on the albino rats (p<0.05). The results suggest that there may be no adverse effect associated with the use of this extract in phytotherapy.