<p>The Pharmacobiochemical Effects of Ethanol Extract of <em>Justicia secunda</em> Vahl Leaves in Rattus Norvegicus</p>

Abstract

Purpose This study evaluated the biochemical effects of ethanol leaves extract on Wistar rats and also shed light on its constituents and phytonutrients. Methods The ethanolic extract of J. secunda leaves was prepared using conventional methods. Then, proximate and phytochemical analyses of the extracts were carried out using several methods previously reported in the literatures. The biochemical studies were also carried out as reported in previous literatures. Results The ethanolic leaves extract contains appreciable quantities of phytonutrients and micronutrients as well as phytochemical constituents. The LD 50 of the extract was determined to be 3800mg/kg body weight. There was a dose-dependent elevation of the blood sugar in comparison with the control. There was no significant increase on the bilirubin and liver enzymes levels or on the haematological parameters of the lab animals. The extract significantly elevated the lipid profile (P value < 0.0001), the glomerular filtration rate (increased creatinine and blood urea levels – P value < 0.0001), the serum electrolytes and the animals’ weight. There was a significant decrease in the anion gap (P value < 0.01). Conclusion The ethanol leaf extract of Justicia secunda has negative cardiac and renal effects on Wistar rats, causing increased lipid profile values, creatinine and blood urea levels in the experimental animals compared with control. The LD 50 is below the safety level. Caution should be exercised as the biochemical profiles of cardiac and renal effects do not seem to be promising and the LD 50 is below the safety level.

The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Justicia Secunda (Bloodroot) on the Liver Function Indices of Albino Wistar Rat

“…They stated that an increase in serum enzymes such as ALT, ALP, and AST, as well as TP and TB are commonly used as measures of liver injury. The present study is in contrast with the study reported by Onochie et al, (2020). They reported that extract did not significantly increase the serum/plasma bilirubin levels and liver enzymes of rats.…”

Effect of Citrus aurantifolia juice on bodyweight and haematological indices of wistar rats

“…This entails that lime juice can be a good regimen in the management of bodyweight at certain doses. However, some medicinal plants such as Justicia secunda Vahl leaves (Onochie et al, 2020) do not have the capacity to cause observable changes in the bodyweight of experimental animals. It is possible that phytoestrogens of C. aurantifolia inhibit serotonin reuptake and thereby increase the levels of serotonin in synaptic clefts as in the case of C. cyminum L. which was reported by (Amin and Nagy, 2009), which in turn would result in enhanced satiety.…”

“…Akhtar (2013) reported the use of the juice in treating irritation, diarrhoea and swelling due to mosquito bites, and is sometimes used as vermifuge when mixed with oil and also incorporated into weight management diet. Medicinal plants play important role in the management of diseases due to their rich antioxidants, phytochemicals, easy accessibility and affordability by the populace (Alaebo et al, 2020;Onochie et al, 2020;Iloanya et al, 2021).…”

Lipid profiling of Wistar rats fed with processed breadfruit

“…The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) also known to be the good cholesterol is better at a high level in the body because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the body by transporting it to the liver to be flushed out of the body thereby preventing the occurrence of any heart disease [16]. Medicinal plants are known to improve lipid profile parameters which has made them beneficial for consumption for the prevention, management, and treatment of various diseases [17,18,19].…”