The Toxicological Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Synedrella Nodiflora in Rats
Abstract
The toxicological effects of Synedrella nodiflora Gaertn was evaluated in albino rats using aqueous crude extract of the plant. The plant extract was administered orally for 14 days, alterations observed in haematological parameters, serum biochemical parameters and hispathological reports were used as indices of toxicosis. The aqueous extract of S. nodiflora caused significant reduction in PCV, TRBC and Hb levels. It also caused a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in lymphocyte count but increase in the level of circulating neutrophil. This may suggest that the plant may cause anaemia in animals consuming them. The anaemia is macrocytic hypochromic. The serum biochemistry revealed that the extract of S. nodiflora at dosage of 100 mg/kg b.w. caused a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level. This may suggest hepatocellular damage which is further confirmed by increase in the total bilirubin (TB) and serum triglyceride (TRIG) levels and the histopathologic lesions of multifocal vacuolar degeneration, necrosis and thinning of hepatic cords in the centrilobular regions with moderate congestion of the sinusoids. Furthermore, the plant extract also produced degenerative changes in the germinal epithelial cells of the seminiferous tubules.
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