EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF MUCANA PURIENS OBTAINED FROM AFIKPO ON SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND ELECTROLYTES IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

*N.A. Obasi, S.E. Obasi, C.O. Egwu, G. Otuchristian and F.N. Nkasi

ABSTRACT

The effects of oral administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Mucana puriens obtained from Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria for 28 days on some serum biochemical parameters and electrolytes of albino wistar rats were investigated using standard protocols. Thirty-two (32) albino rats comprising 16 males and 16 females were used for the study. The rats were divided into four groups namely A, B, C and D. Each group was made up of 4 male and 4 female rats separated but given similar treatment. Group A served as the control and were treated with normal saline (0.4ml/100g body weight). Each of groups B, C, and D were administered through oral intubation 250 mg/kg body weight, 500 mg/kg body weight and 750 mg/kg body weight of extract respectively. The result of acute toxicity test obtained showed a lethal dose (LD50) of greater than 5000mg/kg body weight of the extract. Results indicated that administered doses of 250, 500 and 750mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight, serum total protein and albumin and significant decrease in serum total bilirubin, uric acid, urea and creatinine in a dose dependent manner. Non-significant (P > 0.05) increase was observed in serum Na+, K+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+ and inorganic P at all doses except for Ca2+ and inorganic P whose increase was significant at a dose of 750mg/kg body weight of extract. These results are indications that the extract is biochemically safe and could have beneficial health effects.

Keywords: Mucana puriens, Biochemical parameters, Electrolytes, Health, Afikpo.