Haematological, hepatic and oxidative stress indices of female Wistar rats treated with ethanolic leaf extract of Spondias mombin

Abstract

Local population utilize the medicinal herb Spondias mombin to cure a variety of illnesses. In this study, the toxicity of an ethanolic leaf extract of Spondias mombin was investigated using haematological, hepatic, and oxidative stress parameters in female wistar rats. Three sets of five rats each were formed from fifteen (15) female rats weighing 117g to 210g. Group A served as control, Group B received 100mg/kg, and Group C received 200mg/kg body weight of ethanolic leaf extract. The extract was administered orally for fourteen (14) days. At the completion of the treatment, blood and tissue samples were collected for haematological, hepatic enzymes and histological examination. The result showed no significant (p>0.05) difference in body weight of rats. However, a significant (p<0.05) reduction was observed in the organ (liver) weight of rats treated with the extract. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, Red Blood Cell and white blood cell values were significantly (p<0.05) increased after 14days of treatment with ethanolic leaf extract Spondias mombins. Liver enzymes aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase showed no significantly changes when compared with the control. However, alkaline phosphatase was significantly increased in the extract treated female rats. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase and a significant (p<0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde levels compared with the control. Rats administered with the plant extract showed no histological alterations in the liver sections. This result confirms the haematinic potential of Spondias mombin plant, and prolonged and high dosages may cause liver damage.