Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Abstract

The Effects of Active Fractions and Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Raphia hookeri on Aluminium Chloride-Induced Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

John Akighir*, Eje Ojochenemi Yakubu, Chinedu Imo, Ayu Agbecha, Ikani Richard Odama and Msughter Martin Ganyam

Aluminium (AL) is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust and constitutes about 8% of the total mineral components. The availability of AL has recently drawn more attention to its bio-toxicity. Hence the effects of aluminium chloride (Alcl₃) toxicity on haematological profile administered active fractions and ethanolic fruits extract of Raphia hookeri in male wistar rats were investigated.

Methodology: A total of 110 healthy male wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were grouped into 11 groups of 10 rats each. Group 1: Normal feed and water (normal control); Group 2: Alcl₃; Group 3: 200 mg/kg b.wt. of vitamin C; Group 4 and 5: N-hexane fraction at 10 and 20 mg/kg b. w; Group 6 and 7: Ethyl acetate fraction at 10 and 20 mg/kg b. w; Group 8 and 9: Aqueous fractions at 10 and 20 mg/kg b. w; Group10 and 11: Ethanol extract at doses of 200 mg/kg b. w and 400 mg/kg b. w. The treatment lasted for 21 days.

Results: Results revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in all the treatment groups when compared with the negative control (2.71 ± 0.60). A significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase of Hemoglobin (Hb) was observed when all the treatment groups were compared with the negative control (6.88 ± 0.48). Haematocrit (HCT) revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in all the treatment groups when compared with the negative control (25.82 ± 2.00). Mean Cellular Volume (MCV) revealed non-significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference when Alcl₃+Eth 20 mg (73.04 ± 1.16), Alcl₃ + 10 mg aq (71.82 ± 0.81), Alcl₃+20 mg aq (72.95 ± 1.04), and Alcl₃+Crude 200 mg (72.70 ± 0.96) were compared with the negative control (73.38 ± 1.76). MCH also revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in all the treatment groups when compared with the negative control group (13.30 ± 1.70). Mean cellular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) further revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase when all the treatment groups were compared with the negative control (19.08 ± 3.42). There was significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in WBC in all the treatment groups when compared with the negative control (13.10 ± 1.1). PLT revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in all the treatment groups when compared with the negative control group (1020.00 ± 64.37). Lymphocyte (LYM) % revealed a non-significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference in all the treatment groups except Alcl₃+ Crude 400 mg (73.02 ± 2.60), when compared with the negative control group (88.86 ± 3.6). LYM# revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in all the treatment groups: Alcl₃+Vit. C (200 mg) (4.82 ± 1.36), Alcl₃+10 mg aq (5.82 ± 0.58), Alcl₃+n-h 20 mg (7.22 ± 0.72), Alcl₃+Eth 10 mg (8.86 ± 1.05), Alcl₃+10 mg aq (5.82 ± 0.58), Alcl₃+20 mg aq (7.25 ± 1.64), Alcl₃+ Crude 200 mg (7.66 ± 1.31), Alcl₃+Crude 400 mg (6.38 ± 0.97 when compared with the negative control.

Conclusion: The ethanol fruit extract of R. hookeri (Rh) demonstrated augmenting effect on Alcl₃- induced haematotoxicity. These effects may be due to the presence of some phytochemicals which prevented the deleterious effects of Alcl₃ on RBCs membrane with subsequent stimulation of the hematopoietic activity in the bone marrow.

Published Date: 2023-12-22; Received Date: 2023-11-22