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Vol.2 , No. 6, Publication Date: Jan. 30, 2016, Page: 97-105
 albino rats of both sexes weighing between 100.5g-149.5g were divided into nine groups of four rats per group. Group 1 received distilled water, while groups 2-5 and 6-9 received 400,600,800, and 1000mg/kgBW of extract for 7 and 14 days respectively. Rats were sacrificed 24hours after the last treatment and blood samples collected for biochemical and haematological investigation. Histology of the liver was conducted and photochemical screening of plant was done. Result revealed non-significant differences (p>0.05) in albumin, total protein and bilirubin levels as well as the activities of aspartate and alanine transaminases for all the extract treated groups when compared to control values. Significant reduction (p>0.05) was observed in the activities of alkaline phosphatase in all the extract treated groups except group 2 when compared to control. All the haematological parameters showed non-significant differences except platelet which significantly increased (p<0.05) in all the treated groups and neutrophils and lymphocytes in groups 2-4 only when compared to control values. Eosinophils, monocytes and basophils were not detected. Weight of liver significantly decreased (p<0.05) in groups 2-5 and non-significantly increased (p>0.05) in groups 6-9 in comparism with control. Quantitative phytochemical screening of plant revealed the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, tannin, steroid, cardiac glycoside, phenol in decreasing order (32.19 ± 0.23-13.10 ± 0.11) and absence of alkaloids, anthraquinone and cyanogenic glycosides. Histological observation for 1000 mg/kgbw treated groups for 7 and 14 days (groups 5 and 9 showed hepatocytic necrosis while groups 2-4 and 6-8 showed normal liver architecture. In conclusion, aqueous whole plant extract of <i>selaginella myosurus</i> may induce liver toxicity at doses ≥ 1000 mg/kgbw, boost platelet synthesis and immune response.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/903.jpg)
| [1] | Peters D. E., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. |
| [2] | Omeodu S. I., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. |
| [3] | Jaja Q. O., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. |
So much has been done in screening herbal medicines for efficacy based on traditional claims while less emphasis is placed on the issue of safety, as reports of efficacy far outnumber those of toxicity. This study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous whole plant extract of selaginella myosurus on liver markers and haematological indices of albino rats. A total of thirty six (36) albino rats of both sexes weighing between 100.5g-149.5g were divided into nine groups of four rats per group. Group 1 received distilled water, while groups 2-5 and 6-9 received 400,600,800, and 1000mg/kgBW of extract for 7 and 14 days respectively. Rats were sacrificed 24hours after the last treatment and blood samples collected for biochemical and haematological investigation. Histology of the liver was conducted and photochemical screening of plant was done. Result revealed non-significant differences (p>0.05) in albumin, total protein and bilirubin levels as well as the activities of aspartate and alanine transaminases for all the extract treated groups when compared to control values. Significant reduction (p>0.05) was observed in the activities of alkaline phosphatase in all the extract treated groups except group 2 when compared to control. All the haematological parameters showed non-significant differences except platelet which significantly increased (p<0.05) in all the treated groups and neutrophils and lymphocytes in groups 2-4 only when compared to control values. Eosinophils, monocytes and basophils were not detected. Weight of liver significantly decreased (p<0.05) in groups 2-5 and non-significantly increased (p>0.05) in groups 6-9 in comparism with control. Quantitative phytochemical screening of plant revealed the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, tannin, steroid, cardiac glycoside, phenol in decreasing order (32.19 ± 0.23-13.10 ± 0.11) and absence of alkaloids, anthraquinone and cyanogenic glycosides. Histological observation for 1000 mg/kgbw treated groups for 7 and 14 days (groups 5 and 9 showed hepatocytic necrosis while groups 2-4 and 6-8 showed normal liver architecture. In conclusion, aqueous whole plant extract of selaginella myosurus may induce liver toxicity at doses ≥ 1000 mg/kgbw, boost platelet synthesis and immune response.
Keywords
Aspartate Transaminases (ALT), Alanine Transaminases (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin
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