Evaluation of The Effects of Anthocleista vogelii Leaf Extracts on Some Biochemical and Hematological Indices of Wistar Albino Rats: A Toxicological Study doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v3i7.4

Abstract

The continuous toxicological appraisal of Anthocleista vogelii is necessary to provide an up-to- date insight for its safe use in the management of various diseases. This study hereby examined the effects of A. vogelii on some biochemical and physiological indices in the serum of male Wistar rats. It included four experimental groups, labeled I-IV, each with six animals. The group I rats (control) were administered 1.0 mL of 1% tween-80 and groups II-IV rats were administered 200-800 mg/kg (body weights) of methanol extract of A. vogelii leaves (MEAL) daily for four weeks. MEAL caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in HDL-C (55.16 ± 6.41 mg/dL) of group IV rats relative to the control (31.33 ± 5.94 mg/dL), and a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in PCV (33.18 ± 2.01%), RBC (5.35 ± 0.31×10⁶/µL) and Hb (11.06 ± 0.67 g/dL) levels at 800 mg/kg for group IV rats relative to the controls. However, non-significant alterations (p>0.05) were observed in some lipid and haematological parameters assessed in groups 1-III rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Although there were no significant effects on serum K⁺ and Cl^- ions among treatment groups, oral administration of 800 mg MEAL/kg body weight of rats caused significant decrease in serum Na⁺ (140.22 ± 1.32 mg/dL) and HCO3- (14.86 ± 0.42 mg/dL) levels of group IV rats relative to the control values. Evidently, some hematoxicological effects of the plant were found in the study though with positive benefits in the management of hypertension and obesity at high dose.