Biochemical Changes in Wistar Rats on Oral Doses of Mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus)

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Problem statement: To evaluate the effects of the water extract of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus ) (traditionally used antidiabetic and antihyperten sive) in male albino Wistar rats. Approach: The animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 6). Wat er extract of L. micranthus leaves was administered in graded doses of 0, 275, 551 and 827 mg kg -1 body weight (wt) of experimental animals for 21days. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. The serum harvested was analyzed for some biochemical parameters, using assay kits. Results: There were no significant changes (p>0.05) in the levels of cholesterol, bili rubin, glucose, protein, urea, alkaline phosphatase and Aspartate Transaminase (AST). Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activities of the groups rats given 551 and 827 mg kg -1 body weight extracts (15.96 and 14.24 U L -1 respectively) showed significant decreases (p<0.05) when compared with the control (24.96 U L -1) and the group fed 275 mg kg -1 body weight of extract (16.19U L -1 ). Computed ALT/AST showed decreases in the test groups (0.77-0.78) when compared with the control (1.04). Conclusion: The results suggested no adverse biochemical changes being associated with the use of the extrac t or absence of hepatocellular damage at the investigated concentrations. Thus the use of the pl ant in the treatment and management of diabetes and hypertension should be encouraged.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: