Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
Medicinal products should be evaluated for safety before use. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-dyslipidemic effects of methanol ripe fruit extract of Duranta erecta in albino rats. This study investigated the effects of sub-acute oral administration of methanol ripe fruit extract of Duranta erecta (MRFEDE) on the haematology, activity/levels of some serum enzymes and oxidative stress markers in albino rats. Twenty male albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (1 – 4) of five rats each. Rats in group 1 served as the control and were given distilled water at the dose of 10 ml/kg body weight. Rats in groups 2 – 4 were given MRFEDE at the dose of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All treatments were given orally, once daily for 28 days. Blood samples for the evaluation of serum activity/levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and haematology were collected and assayed on days 0, 14 and 28. In vitro antioxidant potential of MRFEDE was also assayed using the diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. Administration of the extract caused significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent decrease in serum ALT, AST and ALP activity. Rats in some of the treated groups (especially Group 3) also had significantly higher (p < 0.05) serum activity of SOD and catalase, and significantly lower (p < 0.05) serum levels of MDA. The extract did not have any significant effect on the haematological parameters assayed. The FRAP and DPPH assays showed that MRFEDE has good antioxidant potentials. Our findings showed that sub-acute administration of MRFEDE in rats did not produce any toxic effect, and was anti-oxidative in activity.

Keywords: Sub-acute toxicity; Duranta erecta; Antioxidant activity; Haematology; Serum biochemistry; Medicinal plant.

How to cite this article:
Okenwa-Ani CP, Eke IG, Onoja SO and Anaga AO (2024). Effects of sub-acute oral administration of methanol ripe fruit extract of
Duranta erecta on haematology, serum enzymes and oxidative stress markers of albino rats. Journal of Veterinary and Applied
Sciences, 14(2): 677 – 688.

*Correspondence: E-mail: ifeanyi.eke@unn.edu.ng Phone: +2348037494699

Effects of sub-acute oral administration of methanol ripe fruit extract of Duranta erecta on haematology, serum enzymes and oxidative stress markers of albino rats

Chidiebere P. Okenwa-Ani ¹, Ifeanyi G. Eke ¹ *, Samuel O. Onoja ² and Aruh O. Anaga¹
¹ Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.