World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

EXCITABILITY EFFECT OF EXTRACT OF DATURA STRAMONIUM LEAVES; SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY AND HAEMATOLOGY IN RATS

K. K. Igwe*, A. J. Madubuike, N. E. Udeh, Chika Ikenga, C. J. Onyenze and N. S. Nwatu

ABSTRACT

The effect of administration of ethanol extract of the leaves of Datura stramonium on excitability, hematology and serum biochemistry parameters was studied in rats. Sixteen (16) experimentally matured male Wistar rats, aged 9 - 10 weeks, with an average weight ranged, 147-150g were distributed into 4 groups of 4 rats each, and group 1 were administered with distilled water (as control) groups 2, 3 and 4 were the test groups and were given 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract respectively. The treatment period was fourteen (14) days. Excitability scores were recorded daily immediately after administration of extract. End of treatment the rats were sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture for analysis. The result showed that D. stramonium demonstrated increased excitability mean score of 2.50±0.28, 3.25±0.25, 3.50±0.29 compared to control group 1.25±0.25 which may suggest nervous system excitation in those treated rats more than the control rats. There were mild changes in haematological parameter not significantly altered but within normal reference range. However, the mild leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis were not significant and elevation was within normal reference range. The result of the serum biomarkers showed significant decreases in the liver and kidney enzymes suggesting that the leaf extract at lower doses possess hepato, nephro and cardio-protective properties It can be concluded that the extract of Datura stramonium exhibited excitatory effect, with no toxic effects on the blood profile and internal organs.

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