The Bioscientist (Aug 2015)
Effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Pterocarpus mildbraedii on the liver function and CD4 cells of the immune system in albino rats
Abstract
Pterocarpus mildbraedii Harms (Leguminosae) leaf is among the commonly consumed leafy vegetables in Nigeria. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves had been found to exert anti-diabetic effect in rats. This study was designed to investigate the possible toxicological effects of the ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of this plant on liver functions and the immune system in Wistar albino rats. Intraperitoneal administration of ethanol and aqueous extracts of P. mildbraedii leaves at the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1, to two groups of rats for 28 days showed no adverse effects on serum levels of liver function indices estimated. No significant differences (p> 0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were observed at the end of the 28 days-treatment when compared with control group that received saline. Furthermore, histopathological examination of the liver samples revealed normal architecture in both control and treated groups. However, significant increases in immune system of the extracts- treated rats were observed. Aqueous and ethanol extracts, at 200 mg kg-1 body weight, increased the CD4 cell counts from 42.50±7.50 to 127.67±1.45 cells µl-1 and from 52.50±2.50 to 189.33± 5.2 cells µl-1 respectively. These effects of the extracts increased with increased doses. These results suggest non-toxic effects of leaf extracts of P. mildbraedii on the liver, as well as an ability to boost the immune system in rats. Hence, the plant can be considered safe for use as leafy vegetable in foods or pharmaceutical formulations.
