Original Articles
Innocent U Okagu, Victor N Ogu
Abstract
Herbal medicines have received greater attention as an alternative to clinical therapy leading to increasing demand; however, the prolonged use of these medicinal plants requires proper safety evaluation to avoid detrimental health conditions. This study evaluated the haematological and biochemical effects of 30-day administration of methanol extract of Xylopia aethiopica fruits (MEXAF), a plant widely used as herb and spice in many parts of the world. Twenty-four albino rats used for the study were divided into four groups of six rats each. Rats in group 1 served as the control and were treated with vehicle only while the rats in groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of MEXAF. Haematological indices, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant, cardiac, liver and kidney status, lipid profile, blood glucose level, and body and organ weights changes in MEXAF-treated and control rats were evaluated using standard protocols. The presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenols, saponins, tannins and glycosides were detected in MEXAF. Improved haematological indices and antioxidant status were observed in the MEXAF-treated rats when compared with the control. Cardioprotective, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, body and organ weights lowering and decreased lipid peroxidation effects were also seen in the MEXAF-treated rats when compared with control. On the other hand, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were also observed in the MEXAF-treated rats when compared with control. These show that long-term administration of high dose of methanol extract of the extract is not safe to the kidney and liver of the consumer.