EVALUATION OF SAFETY OF AQUEOUS, METHANOL AND DICHLOROMETHANE CRUDE EXTRACTS OF THE KENYAN PHYSALIS PERUVIANA L (CAPE GOOSEBERRY) IN MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Zipporah Ng’ang’a, Peter Gakio, Francis Mwehurih Njeruh, John Thuita and Peter Karanja*

ABSTRACT

The current study was undertaken with the aim of establishing the safety profile of different parts of Physalis peruviana L extracts in male wistar albino rats. The biochemical parameters were determined using Humanlyser 2000, a controlled photometer, while the haematological parameters were analyzed using HumanCount 5 L automated lazer haematology analyzer. Results on haematological parameters revealed that after 28 days of administration of Dichloromethane Physalis peruviana leaf and Dichloromethane Physalis peruviana stem crude extracts to rats at 500mg/kg /day, there were significant increase (P<0.05) in Red blood cell counts compared to the negative control group; there were also significant increases in the Haemoglobin concentration and Lympocytes counts in dichloromethane P. peruviana extracts-treated rats compared to controls. However, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Neutrophils from dichloromethane P. peruviana as compared to the negative control group. The effects of extracts on biochemical parameters after treatments for 28 days revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in the decrease on Alanine transaminase and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) from dichloromethane P. peruviana stem and leaves treated groups compared to the negative control group. The extracts had no significant differences (P>0.05) on serum Alkaline phosphatase, total protein and total bilirubin. Peripheral blood films revealed marked Polychromasia in aqueous Physalis peruviana roots and acanthocytes in aqueous Physalis peruviana stem treated groups compared to the negative control. It can be concluded that extracts of P. peruviana at the doses tested had mild toxic effects and also lead to boosting of immunity in body systems.

Keywords: Physalis Peruviana L, Toxicity, Rats.