Abstract
The impact of methanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea on blood and some biochemical profiles was studied in male albino rats. Rats were treated with daily oral administration of the extract (500 mg kg-1 bw) and its pure fractions for 5, 30 and 60 days. Haematological indices and plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not adversely affected by the extract after 5 days of treatment. However, there were significant reductions (P < 0.05) in red blood cell (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) after 60 days of treatment with C. ferruginea. Haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were not affected while mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were increased (P < 0.01) after 60 days of treatment. Lymphocyte count was higher after 30 days of treatment while the white blood cell counts were not affected by prolonged treatment with the extract and its pure fractions. Plasma levels of ALT increased (P < 0.01) while those of AST was not affected after 60 days of treatment. There was a significant restoration of these parameters after withdrawal from treatments. The results suggest that prolonged administration of crude root extract of C. ferruginea may induce anaemia. Key words: Cnestis ferruginea, blood indices, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), rat.
Highlights
Cnestis ferruginea belongs to the family of Connaraceae plants and is highly ubiquitous in the southern part of Nigeria
Thorough search of the literature revealed a dearth of information on the effect of C. ferruginea on haematological parameters
The root extract of C. ferruginea was concentrated in vacuo using a rotary evaporator
Summary
Cnestis ferruginea belongs to the family of Connaraceae plants and is highly ubiquitous in the southern part of Nigeria. It is known as ‘omu aja’ or ‘gboyin gboyin’ in Yoruba, ‘amunketa’ in Igbo, ‘Utina bua’ in Efik and ‘Ukpeibieka’ in Bini tribes of Nigeria. It was reported to have an excellent antioxidant activity (Oke and Hamburger, 2002). It is known to possess powerful antibiotic activities. Extract of whole plant of C. ferruginea has been used to treat conjunctivitis, syphilis, gum pain, wounds, dysentery and gonorrhea (Bouquet and Debray, 1974; LeGrand, 1989). The traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria use the root decoction of the plant to prevent abortion and to treat ovarian disorder.
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