Introduction: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is considered to be an important and effective medicinal plant in folklore remedies where it has been applied as an alternative therapy for the treatment of various ailments. Aim: The present study aims to determine the effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on lipid profile and some oxidative stress markers of male Wistar rats. Methodology: A total of 15 male wistar rats were procured for the study and randomly assigned into three groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as control and received distilled water only. Group 2 received 200 mg/kg and group 3 received 400mg/kg of the hydromethanolic (1:4) extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius which was administered as single daily dose using oral cannula. On completion of treatment, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for determination of some serum lipid parameters and oxidative stress markers. Results: Results showed that there were no significant difference in the serum level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol at both doses of the extract, compared to control. However, compared to control, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase but significant reduction in malondialdehyde level. The catalase enzyme activity was not significant. Conclusion: The result obtained suggest that the extract may be useful in reducing oxidative stress by improving some antioxidant enzyme activities and may also prevent cell death due to lipid peroxidation.

Introduction: Medicinal plants such as Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (CA) have been studied over the years for their protective and curative potentials against a myriad of common global health challenges such as hepatorenal injuries. Objectives: To ascertaining the effects of the hydromethanol leaf extract of CA (HMLECA) on hepato-renal parameters in adult male wistar rats. Method: A total of 18 adult male wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of six rats each. Group I served as the negative control which received distilled water while groups 2 and 3 served as extract treatment groups which received 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the HMLECA respectively. The administration was daily for a period of 58 days while blood sample for the biochemical analysis was drawn via cardiac puncture at the end of the study following light chloroform anaesthesia. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the administration of both doses of the extract produced no significant (P<0.05) effect on the levels of serum liver enzyme (AST, ALT, ALP), TP, ALB, electrolytes (K+, Na+ and HCO3–), Creatinine and Urea while that of the 400 mg/kg BW produced significant (P<0.05) decrease in the level of TB and Cl –. Hence, the administration of the leaf extract in this study did not elicit any toxic effect on both the liver and kidney functions and could be effective as hepato-renal protective agent. Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Liver function, Liver enzymes, Renal function, Serum biochemicals, Serum electrolytes

Introduction: Medicinal plants have become increasingly useful as a form of alternative therapy. Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is a medicinal plant applied in folklore remedies in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on some hematological parameters of male Wistar rats. Methodology: A total of 15 male Wistar rats weighing between 100-250 g were randomly placed in groups. Group 1 served as control and received distilled water only; group 2 received 200 mg/kg and group 3 received 400 mg/kg of the hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius. Extract was administered once daily using oro-gastric cannula for 30 days. Blood samples were collected by direct cardiac puncture into appropriate sample tubes for estimation of hematological parameters including red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count. Results: Results showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in RBC, PCV, Hb and platelet count with the higher dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract compared to control group. However, the WBC count was not significantly (P>0.05) altered. Conclusion: Oral administration of the leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius increases red blood cell count, packed cell volume, hemoglobin level and platelet count at 400 mg/kg body weight.

This study investigated the effects of hydromethanol leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on some male reproductive functions in Cadmium chloride (Cdcl2) toxicity-induced male Wistar rats. Twenty four adult male Wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were divided into four groups (6 rats each) as follows: Group 1 (negative control), Group 2 (positive control) which received 5mg/kg CdCl2, Groups 3 and 4 received 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of extract and 5mg/kg CdCl2 respectively. Duration of extract administration was 30 days, while males were co-habited with females in the last 10 days of the study to determine fertility index. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed following light chloroform anaesthesia, while samples were collected for analysis. Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phlobatannins, saponins, triterpenoids and cardenolide; and the analysis of data was by SPSS version 23. The analysed result indicated that the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in FSH and testosterone levels. The percentages of viable sperm cells, sperm cells with normal morphology and actively motile sperm cells as well as sperm count were significantly increased. In addition, the fertility index in the rats that received higher dose (400mg/kg) of the extract was significantly increased. Conclusively, extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius mitigated against Cdcl2 induced toxicity in some reproductive parameters of male Wistar rats.