Effect of aqueous and ethanol leaves extracts of Justicia carnea on selected biochemical and haematological parameters in Albino Mice

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of aqueous and ethanol leaves extracts of Justicia carnea on selected biochemical and haematological parameters in albino mice. LD50 for the ethanol extract was carried out using the guidelines proposed by organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Twenty four mice were divided into six groups of four mice/group. Groups 1 and 2 received distil water and 3%DMSO respectively as normal control, groups 3 and 4, 5 and 6 received 500 and 1000mg/kgbw of aqueous and ethanol leaves extracts respectively for six days. Mice were sacrificed 24 hours after the sixth day of treatment and blood sample collected for biochemical and haematological investigations. Result of quantitative phytochemical constituent of the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids (1.01x10-1), terpenoids (8.55 x 10-1), saponin (449.43), sterols (30.58), phenolic acids (38.73), glycosides (39.27), flavonoids (430.24), tannin (744.24) mg/100g, oxalate (102.11) and phytate (12.37) ppm. Aqueous leaves extract showed significant (p≤0.05) increase in PCV, Hb and platelet values, while others were non-significant while ethanol extract was non-significant (p≥0.05) in all haematological parameters when compared to control. Significant decrease (p≤0.05) was observed in AST, ALT activities and Total bilirubin concentration in all the groups for aqueous extract and non-significant differences (p≥0.05) in all liver markers for all ethanol extract treated groups when compared to control. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Justicia carnea did not have any toxic effect on the experimental animals however aqueous extract boosted haemoglobin level.