Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Loranthus micranthus Linn. on Biochemical Profile of Wistar Rats Infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei: http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v7i6.22

Jude V. Egbuji; Vincent C. Ejere; Godwin C. Ugwu; Chinagorom L. Ugwu

Authors

Jude V. Egbuji Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Vincent C. Ejere Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Godwin C. Ugwu Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Chinagorom L. Ugwu Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Medical and Applied Health Sciences, Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Loranthus micranthus, aqueous leaf extracts, Wistar rats, Biochemical effects

Abstract

The incidence of trypanosomiasis remains a source of concern in the tropics and other parts of the world. Trypanosomiasis is a lethal disease which affects both man and animals. It is caused by a parasitic protozoon of the Genus Trypanosoma. Effects of aqueous crude leave extracts of Loranthus micranthus on the biochemical parameters of wistar rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei were examined. Seventy-two adult-male rats were grouped into six (A-F) of 12 rats per group, comprising 3 replicate of 4 rats each. Blood samples were collected weekly for various biochemical parameters assay using standard methods. Liver markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the infected and treated rats and those of the infected and untreated control group showed marked significant increases (p<0.05) when compared with the standard drug and normal control groups. Similarly, data obtained showed that serum bilirubin, urea, creatinine and cholesterol levels were significantly high (p<0.05) in those animals treated with L. micranthus and in the negative control group. Serum albumin was significantly lower (p> 0.05) in the treatment groups with minimal increases in the group administered 800 mg/kg of the aqueous leaf extract. The results indicated that all the animals infected and treated with L. micranthus and the negative control group died from overwhelming parasitaemia unlike the case of those administered the standard drug. In conclusion, the aqueous leaf extract of L. micranthus may not be used as an anti-trypanosomal agent as well as hepato and nephro-protective agent.

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