World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

RESPONSE OF ADMINISTRATION OF PANICUM MAXIMUM ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT ON TISSUE WEIGHT GAIN, BIOCHEMICAL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES IN RABBITS

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

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the response of administration of graded doses of Panicum maximum ethanol leaf extract on tissue weight gain, biochemical and haematological indices in rabbits. There were Twelve (12) rabbits divided into four (4) groups of three (3) per group. Group 1, served as the control which received distilled water. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were the treatment groups which received the graded doses of P. maximum at 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg body weight respectively and were treated for 14 days per os. At the end of dosing period, blood samples were collected for haematology and serum biochemistry assay. Organs (heart, lungs, liver, kidney) were harvested for relation organ weight. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS expressed as mean ± Standard error of mean. The result showed a consistent increase in organ weight as the doses of P. maximum extract increased. The dressed weight, thigh weight, breast, shoulder, back cut, drum stick and fore arm weights significantly increased compared with the untreated as the dose of the extract increased. PCV and RBC decreased while the TWBC increased but within normal reference range. There was mild hyperproteinaemia, mild hyperbilirubinaemia and moderate hypercholesteremia with elevated triglyceride from 47.47±1.59 to 79.23± 0.54. AST, ALT levels increased but were within normal reference range. ALP decrease was within normal reference range indicating safety of the organ. Bilirubin, urea and creatinine did not deviate from reference range, indicating kidney safety. Whole triglycerides remained at normal reference range. This shows that P. maximum is a safe grass for animals.

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