Biochemical and histopathological studies on the methanolic extract of Jatropha tanjorensis (J.L. Ellis and Soroja) leaves

Abstract

This study seeks to evaluate the biochemical and the histopathological characteristics of rats administered with various doses of methanolic extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf. Wistar albino rats fed with 500 mg/kg and 2 g/kg of methanolic extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf for 28 days were dissected and vital organs collected for histopathological examination after blood had been taken for biochemical evaluation The biochemical parameters assessed were Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, HCO3-, K+, albumin, creatinine, total protein, urea, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. The plant extract did not affect the levels of serum electrolytes, proteins and liver enzymes significantly. There was a mild hypertrophy of the vascular vessels of the liver, heart, spleen and the kidney at a dose of 500 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg of the plant extract. The results suggest that the methanolic extract may be safe to the animals at the stated doses.

Keywords: Biochemical, histopathology, enzymes, Jatropha tanjorensis