title: Effect of oral administration of aqueous whole extract of cassytha filiformis on haematograms and plasma biochemical parameters in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous herbal extract prepared from Cassytha filiformis and administered daily for 28 days at dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw) in male wistar albino rats. The LD50 of the aqueous extract was determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects on body weights, organ weights, and certain haematological and plasma biochemical parameters were measured as indices of organ toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aqueous extract did not affect plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT); however, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level occurred in all the treated groups. It also did not affect the electrolytes (Na , Cl and K ), total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, and glucose level. The aqueous extract elicited hypercholesterolaemic effects, but it did not affect the Hb, WBC, RBC, PVC, platelets, MCH, MCHC, MCV levels and differential counts (lympocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils). It also reduced the body weight gain and absolute weight of the kidneys. The relative weights of the heart and lungs in some animal groups were equally reduced. The acute toxicological evaluation of the plant extract revealed an oral LD50 value greater than 500 mg/kg bw.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that aqueous extract of C. filiformis administered at normal therapeutic doses is not likely to produce severe toxic effects on some organs or haematological and biochemical indices in rats.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. acadbabayi@yahoo.com
authors: Hausatu M
authors: HM
authors: Babayi
authors: Joseph J I
authors: JJ
authors: Udeme
authors: Joseph A
authors: JA
authors: Abalaka
authors: Joseph I
authors: JI
authors: Okogun
authors: O A
authors: OA
authors: Salawu
authors: David D
authors: DD
authors: Akumka
authors: Adamu
authors: Sunday S
authors: SS
authors: Zarma
authors: Bulus B
authors: BB
authors: Adzu
authors: Sabo S
authors: SS
authors: Abdulmumuni
authors: Kolo
authors: K
authors: Ibrahime
authors: Baba B
authors: BB
authors: Elisha
authors: Samuel S
authors: SS
authors: Zakariys
authors: Uford S
authors: US
authors: Inyang
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests; D019770:Lauraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D051379:Mice; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018675:Toxicity Tests
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase