Assessment of Renal and Haematological Effects of Aspilia africana Leaf Extracts in New Zealand Rabbits

Samuel Ojeaburu, Austin Eromosele
2019 Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research  
Aspilia africana is an indigenous medicinal plant known for it's haemostatic property in African folklore medicine. In this study, the renal and haematological effects of Aspilia africana leaf extracts in experimental rodents were investigated. Fifteen male rabbits of the New Zealand strain were equally assigned into three groups: Group 1, the control received normal saline, group 2 received 100 mg/kg body weight Aspilia africana aqueous extract while group 3 received 100 mg/kg body weight
more » ... ia africana chloroform extract for 14 consecutive days. Renal parameters (creatinine, urea, Na + , K + , HCO3 -) were determined in serum samples while haematological parameters: packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC) and mean cell volume (MCV) were determined in whole blood samples. Oral administration of the aqueous extract of Aspilia africana induced a significant decline (p<0.05) of urea, sodium, potassium concentrations in serum of test animals relative to control. The chloroform extract did not significantly alter (p>0.05) the parameters of renal function except serum bicarbonate value which was significantly elevated. Erythropoiesis represented by red blood cell count (RBC) was significantly suppressed (p<0.05) in groups treated with both extracts relative to the control. Proliferation of white blood cells occurred in test groups compared to the control (p<0.05) after administration of both extracts. PCV and MCV were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the groups. The results indicate that the aqueous extract caused elevation in white blood cells count but induced different effects on kidney parameters depending on the extracting solvent.
doi:10.26538/tjnpr/v3i5.6 fatcat:vfmfoktcsvbm7inz3jak2bvfmi