Abstract
The study evaluates the bioactive components and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Maesobotrya barteri (Baill.) Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae) on the haematological profile of paracetamol-induced Wistar albino rats. Standard methods were used in the proximate, phytochemical and haematological profile analysis. The results of the proximate composition revealed high values for crude fiber (49.13%), carbohydrates (16.33%) and protein (10.94%). Phytochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and tannins within the concentration range of 0.0003-94.68 µg/mL. Twenty-four hours after the last oral administration, the rats were sacrificed. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture. Results of the haematological profile at different dose levels (200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight) did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) when compared with the control. A slight increase was observed in the erythrocytes (red blood cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and platelets). Meanwhile, a significant increase (p <= 0.05) was observed in the WBC and platelets of the groups induced with paracetamol only. However, administration of ascorbic and the sample extract reduced the white blood cells and platelet levels. The study revealed that M. barteri leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, bioactive constituents and may serve as a blood booster.
Highlights
IntroductionMedicine, fuel, clothing and shelter. About 30% to 40% of today’s conventional drugs used in the medicinal and curative properties are employed in herbal supplements, botanicals, nutraceuticals and drugs (Essiette and Obiobohu, 2014)
Plants provide food, medicine, fuel, clothing and shelter
The results showed that the leaves contained 10.30% moisture, 11.50% ash, 10.94% crude protein, 1.80% crude fat, 49.13% crude fiber and 16.33% carbohydrate
Summary
Medicine, fuel, clothing and shelter. About 30% to 40% of today’s conventional drugs used in the medicinal and curative properties are employed in herbal supplements, botanicals, nutraceuticals and drugs (Essiette and Obiobohu, 2014). Medicinal and aromatic plants contain bioactive compounds (phytochemicals) which inhibits the activities of bacteria and other microorganisms (Okwu and Ekeke, 2003). These bioactive chemical substances include flavonoids, saponins, anthocyanin, tannins etc which confers on the plants the medicinal properties from which important drugs could be prepared. The plant Maesobotorya barteri is of the Euphorbiaceae Family; a rain forest plant that bears, fruit from April to June It is the most widely distributed Maesobotrya species in Nigeria. The present study was undertaken to identify some nutrients, bioactive agents present in the leaves of Maesobotorya barteri as well as the effect of aqueous leaf extract of this plant on haematological profile in paracetamolinduced Wistar rats. Bioactive components and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Maesobotrya barteri
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