Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Funtumia elastica on Blood and Organs of an Experimental Rat

Abstract:

Funtumia elastica has been used for centuries in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. To validate its use in traditional medicine, the present study was carried out to determine the effect of Funtumia elastica on haematological and biochemical parameters of rat. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 3 rats each. Group A, B and C were orally administered with aqueous extract of Funtumia elastica at doses 250, 500 and 750mg/kg/bw, group D served as control. The extracts were administered for 7 days. Haematological assay was carried out using auto reader PC 210 Erma (Japan) and biochemical parameter assay was carried out using RANDOX kit. The organs were preserved in formalin solution, stained with haematoxylin and eosin and viewed under microscope. The animals showed no symptom of toxicity. The results showed the effects of the extraction haematological and biochemical parameters, but all values were within the normal range. Although statistically there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in AST level and decrease in ALT and ALP levels compared to control, there was slight decrease in WBC level and an increase in RBC, Hb and Hct level. Therefore, use of the extracts at these doses though not toxic to the organs but could alter haematological and biochemical parameters.