Z N Kabubii, J M Mbaria and P M Mbaabu
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Nat Prod Chem Res
Natural medicinal products have gained recognition worldwide in the treatment and control of diseases. One of the major concerns is the lack of adequate pharmacological and toxicological data to support their use. Myrsine africana is traditionally used as veterinary and human anthelmintic. This study was carried out on the crude extracts of dry seeds of M. africana to evaluate the oral acute toxic effect on hematological parameters. Group 1 and 2 of Wistar rats were orally given 1000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight, respectively, alongside a control group which received distilled water. Eight blood parameters were measured after 48 hours and 14 days post extract administration using a semi-automatic hematological analyzer. The LD50 of the aqueous extracts M. africana seed extracts was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg body weight in albino Wistar rats. Red Blood Cells (RBC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) means of rats fed with 5000 mg/kg body weight were found to be significantly elevated than the control at 48 hours testing. At day 14, thrombocytes (platelets) count was significantly high. The study concluded that Myrsine africana seed extract has a big safe margin validating its wide use as anthelmintic. However, consumption of M. africana at 5000 mg/kg body weight induced hematopoietic imbalance indicated by the elevated red blood cells and platelets (thrombocytes). Hence, lower doses are recommended as was indicated by the non-significant difference of 1000 mg/kg body weight. Sub-acute, chronic toxicity studies and isolation to identify the biologically active ingredients of Myrsine africana seeds that were responsible for the above effects will follow.
Email: zelipha.kabubii@uonbi.ac.ke
