ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants have been in existence since creation and these plants synthesize a wide variety of phytochemicals, which include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and phenols, that are useful sources of medicine. Medicinal plants have proven effective in the treatment of infectious diseases with little or no side effects as experienced with synthetic drugs. Alchornea laxiflora an example of medicinal plant has been proven effective in the treatment and management various diseases due to its phytochemical constituents. The aim of the study was to determine the toxicological and biochemical effect of aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora on in vivo acute and subchronic toxicity, liver and kidney function indices, haematological indices, lipid profile, organ weight, body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), histology (liver, heart, kidney, and pancreas), in Sprague Dawley rats. The study also determined in vitro antioxidants capacity on (DPPH, NO, H2O2, FRAP, and reducing power), micronutrient estimation, qualitative and quantitative screening of phytochemical constituents of aqueous A. laxiflora. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. They were divided into six groups of five rats each. A. laxiflora was administered orally via gavage at 200mg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 3000mg/kg, and 5000mg/kg (groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively) to Sprague Dawley rats for 28 days period. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were assessed simultaneously and compared to normal control (group 1). Biochemical investigations including in vivo albumin, urea, creatinine, total protein, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fasting blood glucose (FBG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), histological and hematological parameters were assessed after 28 days of the study. Additionally, in vitro micronutrient estimation, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, and antioxidants capacity on DPPH, NO, H2O2, FRAP, and reducing power were assayed for. All data were analysed using analyses of variance (ANOVA). From the result, although there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in AST, and albumin levels, A. laxiflora significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ALP and ALT concentrations, and significantly increased total protein concentrations relative to control. A. laxiflora improved lipid profile of the rats by significantly increasing HDL levels and reducing LDL levels; and also had no effect on TC and TG levels relative to the control. A. laxiflora significantly (P < 0.05) reduced FBG in the groups administered 1000 and xxi 3000 mg/kg relative to control group.
