Phytochemical screening and hematological effects of bioactive components of aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves and seeds of datura innoxia on male wistar rat

Abstract

Datura is a genus belonging to family Solanaceae, consisting many species that include annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, and trees. The objective of the study was to determine the biochemical content of Datura innoxia seeds and leaves, in aqueous and methanolic extracts and to evaluate their toxic effects on experimental rats. The aqueous and methanol extracts were carried out using maceration method. The results of phytochemical screening of extracts revealed the presence of high concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpines and low concentration of saponin and coummarins. 65 male Albino Wistar rats, three months old and with an average body weight ranged 110-120 g, were randomly divided into 13 groups, 5 rats for each. All groups received the same type of extract were administered 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The effects of oral administration of leaves and seeds extracts to 60 healthy rats over 30 days were evaluated by histological studies, body weight changes, monitoring the chemicals disappeared in blood. The daily treated rats showed symptomatic signs of systematic toxicity such as shallow, convulsion and paralysis. The symptom at high dose (80 mg/kg), appeared immediately and persisted until death. The mortality percent of rats in 30 days after treatment orally with 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg of extracts was 0%, 75% and 100%, respectively. New compounds appeared in blood of treated groups. The histological results showed that administration of extracts caused pathologic changes in the liver, kidney and brain. The effects were less marked in the low doses. The treated groups had lower (p ≤ 0.05) body weight gains than control group. Datura innoxia revealed the presence of important pharmacological bioactive substances.