The present study was done to evaluate the acute (14 days) toxicity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Myrianthus arboreus on the liver enzymes of wistar rats.
In the acute (14 days) toxicity studies, 24 rats were grouped into 1- 8 groups (n=3rats/cage) and administered with 1500, 1000 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 7 days and 14 days. The rats were sacrificed after 7 days and 14 day of administration and blood samples and liver organ were collected for investigations. The biochemical parameters such as the Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined and the liver histology analysed. The mean values of ALP showed significant increase (P≤0.05), the ALT showed a non-significant increase (P≥0.05) at groups 2, 3 and 4 and a significant increase (p≤0.05) at groups 6, 7 and 8. The AST showed a non-significant increase (P≥0.05) at all dosages and times except for group 2. The histological analysis showed microvesicular steatosis at groups 2 and 3 and a ballooning hepatic necrosis at group 7.
The phytochemical analysis of Myrianthus arboreus shows the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, carbonhydrate, cardenolide and saponins in detectable limits but fixed oils and cyanogenic glycosides were not determined. In this investigation, we can conclude that the ethanolic leaf extract of Myrianthus arboreus was unsafe at all doses considered for a period of 14 days. However, at a dose below 500 mg for 7 days could be considered safe.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1 PLANT PRODUCTS AS DRUGS
1.2 TOXICITY TESTS
1.3 THE USE OF EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL
1.4 THE LIVER
1.4.1 STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
1.4.2 HEPATOTOXICITY
1.4.3 DETOXIFICATION FUNCTION OF THE LIVER
1.4.4 MARKER MOLECULES AND LIVER TOXICITY
1.5 MYRIANTHUS ARBOREUS, ORIGIN, CLASSIFICATION AND MEDICAL USES
1.6 TAXONOMICAL CLASSIFICATION OF MYRIANTHUS ARBOREUS
1.7 COMPOSITIONS AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF MYRIANTHUS ARBOREUS
1.8 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 MATERIALS
2.1.1 LABORATORY APPARATUS
2.1.2 LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
2.1.3 CHEMICAL AND REAGENTS
2.1.4 SOURCE OF ANIMAL
2.2 METHODS
2.2.1 COLLECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PLANT MATERIALS
2.2.2 PREPARATION OF EXTRACT
2.2.3 PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING
2.2.4 SELECTION AND SORTING (INTO SIZE AND SEX) OF ANIMALS
2.2.5 RECONSTITUTION OF EXTRACT
2.2.6 LETHAL DOSE (LD50) STUDY OF THE ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF MYRIANTHUS ARBOREUS
2.2.7 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
2.2.8. SACRIFICE OF THE ANIMALS
2.2.9 BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS STUDIES
2.2.10 HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES
2.2.11 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
3.1 RESULTS
3.2 RESULTS OF HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
3.3 RESULTS OF PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE CRUDE LEAF POWDER OF MYRIANTHUS ARBOREUS (P.BEAUV)
4.0 DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
4.1 DISCUSSIONS
4.2 CONCLUSIONS
4.3 LIMITATIONS TO THE STUDY
4.4 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
Objectives & Scope
This research aims to evaluate the acute (14-day) toxicological effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Myrianthus arboreus on the liver function and enzyme profiles of Wistar rats. The study assesses the potential safety or hepatotoxicity of the plant material through biochemical assays and histological examinations.
- Determination of the lethal dose (LD50) of Myrianthus arboreus in Wistar rats.
- Qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant's secondary metabolites.
- Quantitative analysis of liver marker enzymes: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST).
- Histopathological analysis of liver tissue to identify potential cellular damage, such as steatosis or necrosis.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 PLANT PRODUCTS AS DRUGS
Historically, natural products have remained the major and potent source of new drugs. The use of natural products with therapeutic properties is as ancient as human civilisation and, for a long time, mineral, plant and animal products were the main sources of drugs (De Pasquale, 1984). Natural products which included herbs, animals and minerals serve as the lead compounds for the development of new medicines and also for the treatment and prevention of various human ailments.(Prasanth et al., 2014).
Plant products are classified into; Primary metabolites and secondary metabolite.
i. Primary metabolites are chemical compounds (metabolites) that are essential for the basic metabolism (anabolism and catabolism) of the plants, which results to assimilation, respiration, transport, and differentiation. They incudes starch, amino acids, lipids, minerals and vitamins.
ii. Secondary metabolites are chemical compounds (metabolites) that are non-essential for the basic metabolism of the plants. These products accounts for the colour, flavours and smells and are source of fine chemicals such as drugs, insecticides, dyes, fragrances and the phyto-medicines found in medicinal plants. They include alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes/isoprenoids, amines and phenolics.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW: Provides an overview of natural products as drug sources, the role of toxicity testing, and the anatomy and function of the liver.
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Details the experimental setup, collection of Myrianthus arboreus, biochemical assay procedures, and statistical methods used.
3.1 RESULTS: Presents the biochemical data showing the effects of the extract on liver enzyme levels in rats after 7 and 14 days.
3.2 RESULTS OF HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS: Examines liver tissue slides to determine the presence of pathological changes such as necrosis or steatosis.
3.3 RESULTS OF PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE CRUDE LEAF POWDER OF MYRIANTHUS ARBOREUS (P.BEAUV): Outlines the qualitative presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids and flavonoids.
4.0 DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Evaluates the findings, concluding that the extract demonstrates potential hepatotoxicity at certain dosages and durations, while offering suggestions for future research.
Keywords
Myrianthus arboreus, Acute Toxicity, Wistar Rats, Liver Enzymes, Hepatotoxicity, Alkaline Phosphatase, Alanine Transaminase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Phytochemical Screening, Histopathology, Xenobiotic, Biochemical Analysis, Medicinal Plants, LD50, Steatosis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The research investigates the acute 14-day toxicity of the ethanolic leaf extract of the medicinal plant Myrianthus arboreus on liver enzymes in Wistar rats.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The themes include plant-based pharmacology, liver hepatotoxicity, biochemical marker assessment, and histopathological tissue analysis.
What is the main research objective?
The main objective is to determine the LD50, perform qualitative phytochemical screening, and measure the impact of the extract on ALP, ALT, and AST levels in rat livers.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The study utilizes cold maceration for extraction, ELISA methods for enzyme assay, and H&E staining for histopathological tissue processing.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the literature review on liver function, detailed experimental procedures, empirical results from biochemical tests, and visual interpretations of histological tissue changes.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Myrianthus arboreus, acute toxicity, hepatotoxicity, liver enzymes, and histopathology.
What did the histological analysis reveal regarding the extract?
The analysis revealed microvesicular steatosis at lower dosages and ballooning hepatic necrosis at higher dosages and longer administration durations.
Is the ethanolic leaf extract considered safe?
The study concludes that the extract is unsafe at all doses tested over a 14-day period, though doses below 500mg/kg over 7 days might be considered safe.
Why were Wistar rats selected for this study?
Wistar rats are popular model organisms in laboratory research due to their physiological similarities to humans, allowing for extrapolative results.
What did the phytochemical screening detect?
The screening identified several bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, carbohydrates, cardenolide, and saponins.
- Citation du texte
- Emmanuel Igweh (Auteur), D. E. Peter (Auteur), 2015, Acute Toxicity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Myrianthus Arboreus on the Liver Enzymes of Wistar Rats, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/420613
