EFFECTS OF STEM-BARK EXTRACT OF OKOUBAKA AUBREVILLIE ON SOME VISCERAL ORGANS OF WISTAR RATS

Authors

  • Achukwu U Peter Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria
  • Ufelle A Silas Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria
  • Onyekwelu C Kenechukwu Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria
  • Amadi N Millicent Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria
  • Achukwu O Ngozika Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria.
  • Amadi N Francis Department of Economics (Quantity Economics), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcamv15i3.7

Keywords:

Acute toxicity, Graded doses, Mortality, Sub-acute, Toxin inhibition.

Abstract

Background: Over the past two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of herbal medicine; however, these herbs have not been properly evaluated to ascertain their effect on the body organs. Materials and Methods: Effects of stem bark extract of Okoubaka aubrevillie on some visceral organs were investigated in Wistar rats. For acute toxicity testing, Wistar rats (n=16), grouped into 4, (A-D) orally received graded doses of Okoubaka aubrevillie extract and deaths recorded within 24 hours. For sub-acute study, Wistar rats (n=20) grouped into 5, (A-E) orally received graded doses of Okoubaka aubrevillie extract for 31 days. Blood samples were collected from each rat through retro-orbital puncture for biochemical analysis. The liver, kidney and stomach were excised and processed for light microscopy. For toxin inhibition studies, Wistar rats (n=24) grouped into 6 (A-F), were used. Groups A-C and D-F orally received graded doses of Dichlorvos. Groups A-C further received Okoubaka aubrevillie extract while D-F received water and death records observed. Results: For acute toxicity testing, lethal dose (LD50) of 7500 mg/kg body weight was obtained from the inverse of the log-dose. Sub-acute studies revealed significantly elevated mean body weight in group A (210 ± 4.5 gram) compared to control (178 ± 5.0 gram), (p<0.05). Liver of rats in group A revealed some areas of moderate peri-portal lymphatic inflammation. Treated groups revealed intact architecture of liver, kidney and stomach. Conclusion: Okoubaka aubrevillie extract was found to be relatively safe for consumption and is capable of inhibiting toxins.

Author Biographies

Achukwu U Peter, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Ufelle A Silas, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Onyekwelu C Kenechukwu, Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Amadi N Millicent, Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria

Achukwu O Ngozika, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria.

Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State Nigeria.

Amadi N Francis, Department of Economics (Quantity Economics), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria.

Department of Economics (Quantity Economics), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria.

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Published

2018-05-30

How to Cite

Peter, A. U., Silas, U. A., Kenechukwu, O. C., Millicent, A. N., Ngozika, A. O., & Francis, A. N. (2018). EFFECTS OF STEM-BARK EXTRACT OF OKOUBAKA AUBREVILLIE ON SOME VISCERAL ORGANS OF WISTAR RATS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 15(3), 57–63. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcamv15i3.7

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution CC.

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