MALE RATS

This research examined the toxicological properties of Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa and Cinnamomum verum aqueous extracts on the platelet count and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in male wistar rats. Through the method used by Lorke, thirty-nine rats were placed under the control and treatment groups. There were three rats in the control group and twelve rats in each of the treatment groups. In each treatment group, three rats were administered 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of the corresponding plant extract as well as individual rats were administered 1500, 2900, and 5000mg/kg. It was administered over six days, and biochemical and hematological analyses were conducted in order to determine the liver and blood functioning as well as a proximate analysis of the plant composition. The proximate findings revealed that Curcuma longa had the highest carbohydrate and moisture levels, Andrographis paniculata recorded the highest mineral and fibre levels and Cinnamomum verum had the highest protein content. There were no substantial changes in body weight and this showed dose tolerance. There were dose-dependent platelet-level effects: Andrographis paniculata increased thrombopoiesis with dose, Cinnamomum verum induced a small and reversible platelet-depleting effect, and Curcuma longa had no effect on platelet counts. AST activities were normal in all groups with Curcuma longa (1000 mg/kg) having the best hepatoprotective activity in terms of reduced enzyme activity. In general, the acute exposure to the aqueous extracts was hepatotoxic and hematological toxicity-free. Curcuma longa and Andrographis paniculata exhibited significant hepatoprotection and platelet balance respectively. The findings suggest that both of these herbal extracts are biochemically safe in the dose range tested and they justify the safe use as traditional and modern therapeutic agents.

Anthocleista grandiflora has a history of traditional herbal use and has been reported to possess a wide range of therapeutic properties. This current study aimed to explore the effect of chronic administration of a methanol seed extract of Anthocleista grandiflora on the biochemical indicators of renal function in male rats. For this study, twenty male rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of five rats. The extract was administered orally at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of body weight for a duration of 28 days. The kidney was harvested and processed histologically and blood samples were taken for biochemical assays. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with Graph Pad Prism. The findings revealed that there were no significant differences in the sum of the means of all the parameters measured across the groups (P>0.05) when compared with control. Based on the absence of elevated urea and creatinine levels in the blood and the absence of any abnormalities in the histological examination of kidney tissues across all treatment groups, it can be inferred that Anthocleista grandiflora, administered at varying doses over a four-week period, does not appear to have any adverse effects on kidney function.