title: Acute toxicity, biochemical and haematological study of Aframomum melegueta seed oil in male Wistar albino rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aframomum melegueta is a popular medicinal plant in Nigeria believed to have many agents acting in different ways to bring about human health benefits. This study aimed to determine the acute toxicity, identify some phytochemicals known to be present in this plant and the possible effects on lipid profile, haematological indices and biomarker of prostate and cardiac dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four Wistar rats (284-326 g) were used in four groups of six animals. Group 1 (control) received normal saline; groups 2, 3 and 4, received intraperitoneal injection of 27.39, 54.77 and 82.16 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for 7 days. Haematological and biochemical parameters were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and steroids were identified in this plant extract. The LD₅₀ was 273.86 mg/kg body weight. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) decreased significantly in group 2. Testosterone increased significantly in all the test groups compared to the control. Cardiac troponin I (0 ng/dl) was recorded for the test groups while the control had 1.69 ± 0.12 ng/dl. Lipid profile results showed increase in HDL and decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Haemoglobin (Hb) and Red Blood Cells count (RBC) decreased significantly in group 4. White Blood Cells count (WBC), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) did not change significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aframomum melegueta seed oil has the potential of ameliorating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cardiac dysfunction as indicated by testosterone, PSA, lipid profile and troponin I levels. The LD₅₀ of 273.86 mg/kg body weight is indicative of mild toxicity. The lower than normal Hb, RBC confirms the possibility of toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Electronic address: akpanabiatu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Monday Isaiah
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Akpanabiatu
authors.forename: Ndifereke Daniel
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ekpo
authors.forename: Usenobong Friday
authors.initials: UF
authors.lastname: Ufot
authors.forename: Nsikan Malachy
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Udoh
authors.forename: Enomfon Jonah
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Akpan
authors.forename: Ekaette Uduakabasi
authors.initials: EU
authors.lastname: Etuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood; D030521:Zingiberaceae
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010938:Plant Oils; D019210:Troponin I; D013739:Testosterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
keywords: Aframomum melegueta; Haematological indices; Lipid profile; PSA; Testosterone; Troponin I