The Effect of Chronic Treatment of the Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Embelia Schimperi on Blood Parameters, and Liver and Kidney of Rats
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Date
2016-09
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Embelia schimperi is a plant traditionally used for its medicinal value in
many parts of the world including Ethiopia. There are several reports about the
pharmacological properties of Embelia schimperi such as ethno-anthelminthics, and
antibacterials. However, there are limited published reports about the possible
toxicological effects of this plant especially long-term (chronic) toxicity.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment of
ethanolic extract of dried fruit of Embelia schimperi in rat models.
Methods: The fruits of the plant were collected from Bahir Dar area; Ethiopia, dried,
crushed into powder and soaked in 80% ethanol. The filtrate from each soaking was
defatted and concentrated by a vacuum rotary evaporator to remove the solvents. The
sample was set on a water bath of temperature 40oc to remove the remaining solvent
(water). The final dried mass was weighed, packed in plastic cup and kept at -4oc until
used. The extract was then orally administered to rats at doses of 400 and 1600mg/kg
bwt/day for 24 weeks. Initial and final body weights and absolute weight of liver and
kidney were recorded. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of hematological
and biochemical parameters. The animals were then sacrificed and dissected carefully to
collect the liver and kidney for histopathological studies.
Results: Ethanolic fruit extract of Embelia schimperi at doses of 400 & 1600 mg/kg
bwt/day was not significantly associated with body weight change and relative organ
weights of liver and kidney. From hematological and biochemical parameters, only
platelets and AST concentration were significantly associated with fruit extract. The
histopathological findings showed liver and kidney tissue inflammations among study
groups. However, considerable inflammatory cells were observed in kidney sections of
rats treated with 1600 mg/kg bwt/day as compared to the controls.
Conclusion: Chronic treatment with ethanolic fruit extracts of Embelia schimperi in rats
has not shown toxicity though there is significant change in platelets count and AST
concentration. However, plant extract might have mild toxicity as indicated by
inflammatory cells observed in kidney sections of rats.
Key words: Embelia schimperi, Fruit, Ethanolic extract, Chronic Toxicity, Rats.
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Keywords
Embelia Schimperi; Fruit, Ethanolic Extract; Chronic Toxicity; Rats.