Preliminary phytochemistry and Acute Toxicity Assessment of Fruit-Peel Extract of Citrus paradisi on Haematological Parameters of Wistar Rat

ABSTRACT

Citrus paradisi Macfad. of the family rutaceae is a product of a cross between C. maxima and C. sinensis and it can reach heights of 9.1 m. Pharmacological activities reported of C. paradisi includes; antibacterial, anti-parasitic, and so on. However, there are no significant information on the composition of phytochemistry and toxicity of the fruit-peel extract of C. paradisi. The toxicological effect as well as the haematological system of the Wistar rat by Citrus paradisi fruit-peel extract was the focus of this study. Fruits used for this study was collected from a single tree, its rind removed and dried, away from direct sunlight and afterwards, blended and extracted with distilled water. The extract was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites using standard laboratory techniques. Twelve rats were grouped in threes and administration of the extract was done orally, using doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg along with a control treated with distilled water. This treatment was repeated once daily for 14 consecutive days. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected from each rat in Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid bottle for haematological test using Auto-hemo analyser. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols and polyphenols were found to be present in the plant sample. No significant difference P>0.05 was recorded in the white blood cell at all dose levels, but significant difference, P<0.05 in both red blood cell and platelet parameters when compared with the control was noticed. The study reveals that the extract at certain dose level tend to have significant toxicity on important blood parameters in the experimental rats. It is therefore recommended that oral administration of aqueous extract of Citrus paradisi fruit-peel be used with caution.