ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT

The leaf of T. mantaly is a component of traditional medicine, yet its scientific safety profile, particularly on the blood, is not well-established. This research aimed to provide information on the acute toxicity profile and a comprehensive description of the haematological effects of the plant's methanol leaf extract in Wistar rats, by examining both the immediate effect of a single high dose, and the sub – acute effect of repeated daily administrations. The leaf of T. mantaly was collected, authenticated, dried and milled into powder form. The powder (1050 g) was Soxhlet extracted using methanol, concentrated and dried to obtain 27.98% yield of extract. Acute toxicity test was done using Lorke’s method. Evaluation of the acute effect of a single high dose of 5000 mg/kg and the sub – acute effect of graded doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of the extract on haematological parameters of female Wistar rats, were done using standard methods. The acute toxicity test revealed that the extract is relatively safe with LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. However, administration of the 5000 mg/kg dose of the extract revealed a non – toxic physiological stress response, which manifested as a decrease in platelets (thrombocytopenia) and lymphocytes (lymphopenia), as well as a sharp rise in neutrophils (neutrophilia). The 28 days sub – acute study demonstrated the safety profile associated with the administration of lower graded doses of the extract. An immunomodulatory effect, with a slight increase in the number of lymphocytes an platelets, were observed. In conclusion, the methanol leaf extract of T. mantaly possesses a high margin of safety and it is relatively safe, at the tested doses. However, caution is seriously advised in its use, at high doses.

This study investigated the influence of Aspilia africana aqueous leaf extract on the haematological performance of ROSS 308 broiler chickens. This experiment was conducted at the Poultry Unit of the Uniben Farm Project, Animal science Department, University of Benin. A total of one hundred and twelve (112) day-old broiler chicks were used for the experiment which lasted seven (7) weeks. The birds were randomly distributed into four (4) treatments groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4) and replicated twice in
a complete randomized design, which each treatment having 14 birds. T1 served as control and received clean water without the extract, while T2, T3, and T4 received Aspilia africana aqueous leaf extract at concentrations of 100 ml, 150 ml, and 200 ml
per 7 litre of drinking water respectively. Fresh leaves of Aspilia africana were collected, washed, air-dried overnight, milled, and soaked in boiled water to prepare the aqueous extract, the extract was kept under 2◦c in a refrigerator to preserve for use
and these processes were maintained every 4 days to maintain freshness

Ficus exasperata is a deciduous, dioecious medicinal plant of the Mulberry family, which is widely employed in traditional medicine due to its therapeutic and pharmacological properties. Despite its extensive medicinal application, there are very limited research on the effects of its ethanol leaf extract on the cerebrum. This study therefore, investigates the potential effects of the ethanol leaf extract on the structure and function of the cerebrum of adult Wistar rats. Thirty-five (35) adult Wistar rats, divided into: control, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose treatment groups. were treated with graded concentration of sand paper leaf extract (200mg, 400mg, 600mg, 800mg, 1000mg/kg body weight respectively), for a period of 30 days. Biochemical and histological analyses were then conducted to assess cerebral functions and structural changes. The result revealed administration of the ethanol leaf extract of Ficus exasperata, induced a dose-dependent increase in the body weight of Wistar rats, with higher doses producing a more significant effect. In addition, the extract exhibited minimal impact (p< 0.05) on cerebral oxidative stress markers e.g. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase GPX and Malondialdehyde (MDA). The extract also induced beneficial vasoactive changes including vasodilatation and increased blood circulation (active congestion), which decreased with increasing concentration of the sand paper leaf extract. The 200mg/kg body weight leaf extract had the most potent vasoactive effect, while the 1000mg/kg body weight extract had the least effect. However, the structural integrity of the neurons and neuroglia cells were sustained. Further studies are recommended to properly understand the mechanisms involved in its actions so as to ensure safe therapeutic use in humans.