Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of administration of crude methanolic leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata on some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of rats and their tissue levels of some oxidative stress markers. Crude methanolic leaf extract of A. paniculata was obtained by the cold maceration extraction method. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical assays were carried out on the extract, and the results of the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids (29.9%) and flavonoids (26.4%), tannins (16.7%), terpenoids (15.5%), saponins (4.0%), and phenols (3.8 %). Twenty-five rats were randomly assigned to five groups of five rats each. The rats in Groups A, B, C and D were given the extract orally at a daily dosage of 1000, 500, 350, 175 mg/kg, respectively for 14 days, while Group E rats were given 2 ml of normal saline, and they served as Control. Blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical studies on day 15. After blood sample collection on day 15, the rats were sacrificed, and the liver and kidney tissues were collected for assay of oxidative stress markers. Results of the haematology showed that after the administration of the extract, the packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentrations and red blood cell counts of Groups A and B rats were significantly higher (p < 0.05) when compared to that of Group E rats. The serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity of the Group A, B and C rats were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the control (Group E). The serum total protein and creatinine levels of the Group A rats was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control group (Group E). Kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity of Group A rats was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the Group E, while the liver SOD activity of the Group A, B and C rats was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the Group E rats. It was concluded that administration of A. paniculata methanolic extract to rats positively improved their erythrocytic profile and affected their kidney and liver activity of oxidative stress markers.

Keywords: Andrographis paniculata; Methanolic extract; Haematology; Serum biochemistry; Tissue levels of oxidative stress markers; Rats.

How to cite this article:
Num-Adom SM and Gbayange J (2026). Administration of methanolic leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata to Wistar rats: Effects on haematology, serum biochemistry and tissue levels of oxidative stress markers. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 16(2): 1585 – 1596.

*Correspondence: E-mail: mbafannum@yahoo.co.uk Phone: +2347031865755