Hematotoxicity study of the leaf extract of Albizia chevalieri harms (Leguminosae)

Abstract

Background: Aqueous leaf extract of Albizia chevolieri has been reported to have a significant hypoglycemic effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: The effects of the aqueous leaf extract on hematologic variables and histopathologic analyses were assessed in rats treated with acute and sub-chronic doses. Rats treated with acute doses received between 0 and 3000 mg/kg body weight of the extract orally in a single dose, whereas those treated with sub-chronic doses received between 0 and 1500 mg/kg body weight per day for 28 days. Blood and tissue samples were analyzed for the tested parameters at the end of the observation period. Results: The extract had no significant (P>0.05) effect on hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, white blood cell and differential counts, and platelets count in the acute toxicity test. The mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of rats treated with acute and sub-chronic doses of the extract were not significantly (P>0.05) affected. Packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and differential counts were significantly (P<0.05) different from the control in a non-dose dependent fashion in the sub-chronic toxicity study. Rat liver, kidney and heart tissues analyzed histopathologically were normal upon both acute and sub-chronic administration of the extract. Conclusion: Aqueous leaf extract of A. chevalieri, which has been reported to have a significant hypoglycemic effect in alloxan diabetic rats, might be safe in the tested doses.