Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of Medical Toxicology logoLink to Journal of Medical Toxicology
. 2007 Dec;3(4):146–151. doi: 10.1007/BF03160930

Effect of oral administration of aqueous whole extract of Cassytha filiformis on haematograms and plasma biochemical parameters in rats

Hausatu M Babayi 1,✉, Joseph, J I Udeme 1, Joseph A Abalaka 2, Joseph I Okogun 3, O A Salawu 4, David D Akumka 4, Adamu 4, Sunday S Zarma 4, Bulus B Adzu 4, Sabo S Abdulmumuni 4, Kolo Ibrahime, Baba B Elisha 5, Samuel S Zakariys 6, Uford S Inyang 4
PMCID: PMC3550022  PMID: 18072167

Abstract

Introduction

We evaluated the sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous herbal extract prepared fromCassytha filiformis and administered daily for 28 days at dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw) in male wistar albino rats. The LD50 of the aqueous extract was determined.

Methods

The effects on body weights, organ weights, and certain haematological and plasma biochemical parameters were measured as indices of organ toxicity.

Results

The aqueous extract did not affect plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT); however, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level occurred in all the treated groups. It also did not affect the electrolytes (Na+, Cl− and K+), total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, and glucose level. The aqueous extract elicited hypercholesterolaemic effects, but it did not affect the Hb, WBC, RBC, PVC, platelets, MCH, MCHC, MCV levels and differential counts (lympocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils). It also reduced the body weight gain and absolute weight of the kidneys. The relative weights of the heart and lungs in some animal groups were equally reduced. The acute toxicological evaluation of the plant extract revealed an oral LD50 value greater than 500 mg/kg bw.

Conclusion

This study suggests that aqueous extract ofC. filiformis administered at normal therapeutic doses is not likely to produce severe toxic effects on some organs or haematological and biochemical indices in rats.

Keywords: cassytha filiformis, organ weight, haematology, serum biochemistry, hypercholesterolaemic

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (114.0 KB).

Footnotes

There was no outside funding of any kind used for this study.

References

  • 1.Adedeji AO. Rapid Interpretation of Routine Clinical Tests. Zaria, Nigeria: Asekome and Company; 1992. pp. 16–31. [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Abdullahi M, Mohammed G, Abdulkadir NU. Medicinal and Economic Plants of Nupeland. Bida, Nigeria: Jube — Evans Books and Publications; 2003. pp. 140–140. [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Akdogan M, Kilinc I, Oncu M, Karaoz E, Delibas N. Investigation of Biochemical and Histopathological Effects of Mentha piperita L and Mentha spicata L on Kidney Tissue in Rats. Human and Experimental Toxicology. 2003;22:213–219. doi: 10.1191/0960327103ht332oa. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Aniagu SO, Nwinyl FC, Akumka DD, Ajoku GA, Dzarma S, Izebe KS. Toxicity Studies in Rats Fed Nature Cure Bitters. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2005;4(1):72–78. [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Dioka C, Orisakwe OE, Afonne OJ, Agbasi PU, Akumka DD, Okonkwo CJ, et al. Investigation into the haematologic and hepatoxic effects of rinbacin in rats. Journal of Health Science. 2002;48(5):393–398. doi: 10.1248/jhs.48.393. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Garba, (2000). Traditional Medical Practitioner. Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
  • 7.Kallner A, Trydry N. IFCC Guidelines to the Evaluation of Drug Effects in Clinical Chemistry. Scandinanan Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigations. 1989;195:1–29. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.King DJ, Kelton JG. Heparin — Associated Thrombocytopaenia. Annuals of Internal Medicine. 1984;100:535–540. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-100-4-535. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Leclercq JQ, Hoet S, Block S, Wautier MC and Stevingny C. Studies on Cassytha filiformis from Benin: Isolation, Biological Activities and Quantification of Aporphines. Proceedings of Bioresources Towards Drug Discovery and Development2004; pp. 81–106.
  • 10.Lin TJ, Su CC, Lan CK, Jiang DD, Tsai JL, Tsai MS. Acute Poisonings with Breynia officinalis — An Outbreak of Hepatoxicity. Journal of Clinical Toxicology. 2003;41:591–594. doi: 10.1081/CLT-120023760. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Lorke D. A New Approach to Acute Toxicity Testing. Archives of Toxicology. 1983;54:275–287. doi: 10.1007/BF01234480. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Natural Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences. [webpage on the Internet]. Respect for life [updated 2002; cited2006 Nov 11]. Available from: http://www.nih.org/ factsheets.html
  • 13.Neuwinger HD. African Traditional Medicine. A Dictionary of Plants’ Use and Applications. Medical Pharmacology. 2000;99:1–12. [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Stonard MD, Evans GO. Clinical Chemistry. In: Ballantyne B, Marrs T, Turner P, editors. General and Applied Toxicology. London: Macmillan Press; 1995. pp. 247–247. [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Synder R, Lea GW, Kocsis JJ, Witner CM. Bone marrow Depressant and Leuconogenic Actions of Benzene. Life Science. 1977;21:1709–1722. doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(77)90149-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.World Health Organization. Basic OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice. [updated 2004; cited2006 Nov 11] http://www.who.int/tdr/publications.
  • 17.Zhu M, Low KT, Loung P. Protective effects of Plant formula on ethanolic—induced gastric lesions in rats. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16:276–280. doi: 10.1002/ptr.839. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Medical Toxicology are provided here courtesy of Springer

RESOURCES