ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2008
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2008 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Effects of Landolphia owariensis leaf extract on the liver function profile and haemoglobin concentration of albino rats.
L. A. Nwogu*, C. U. Igwe and A. A. Emejulu
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
Accepted 9 July, 2008
Abstract
The effects of aqueous extract of Landolphia owariensis leaves on the biochemical indices of liver function were investigated in Wister strain of albino rats. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. Acute toxicity tests of the extract gave an LD50 of 3370 mg/kg. Liver function tests revealed that the serum activities of alanine aminotransferrase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as the concentrations of total protein and albumin were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the oral administration of the extract. However, bilirubin and haemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly (p<0.05) on administration of the extract. The results suggest that L. owariensis leaf extract is not hepatotoxic in rats. The findings are of clinical importance given the various reported therapeutic potentials of the plant.
Key words: Landolphia owariensis, hepatotoxicity, LD50, haemoglobin.