BIOCHEMICAL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SUB-ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA IN WISTER ALBINO RAT

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of Chromolaena odorata aqueous leaf extract on the
biochemical and haematogical parameters in Wister albino rat and the safest dose level
for a prolong administration (21 days) of the doses of 700 mg/kg, 1400 mg/kg and 2100
mg/kg body weight. The extract was administered orally and the procedures outlined in
the utilized manufacturer kits; were used to test for the biochemical parameters and an
automated haematological analyzer to analyze the haematological profile. There was a
significant (p<0.05) increase in white blood cell (WBC) at all doses and decrease in
platelet (PLT), Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and Mean cell volume
(MCV) at the dose level of 1400 mg/kg and 2100 mg/kg. Also the extract significantly
(p<0.05) decrease AST at all levels and Na+ and Cl- at the dose level of 1400 mg/kg and
2100 mg/kg. Moreover, a significant (p<0.05) increase was recorded of the Alanine
Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Uric acid (UA), at the dose
level of 1400 mg/kg and 2100 mg/kg. The therapeutic value and the toxicological study
of the extract indicated that 700 mg/kg was the safest dose level to be administered
when utilized as a herbal drug.