The effects of alcoholic extract of Arbutus andrachne on some biochemical parameters and visceral organs in rats

Atrooz, O.M.a ,  Omary, A.A.b,  Khamas, W.A.c,  Al- Shaikhly, A.A.-Q.J.b,  Salim, M.M.

The effect of the alcoholic extract of Arbutus andrachne on certain biochemical parameters and the histology of the visceral organs in nonpregnant adult female rats was studied. The lethal dose 50% (LD)50 was estimated, and three different doses (1/10th, 1/15th and 1/20th) of the LD50 extracts were injected intra-peritoneally for 14 consecutive days into three groups of animals (n = 5 in each group), with one group used as a control and injected with distilled water through the same route. Blood was collected after sacrificing the animals and the following biochemical parameters were detected: glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, creatinine and bilirubin. In addition, the total white blood (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) were estimated in the blood of all groups. The gross and microscopic findings were reported after the collection of specimens from the animals, and processed routinely for standard histological procedures. The results showed an increase in the number of WBC, which indicated a defence response; while the RBC were decreased because of damage in tissues or organs. The gross and the microscopic changes seemed to be dose-dependent, as very little or no effects were noticed in the lowest treated group, and more obvious changes were detected in the highest-dose group of animals. In addition, changes were observed in almost all biochemical parameters under investigation, with the exception of creatinine and GPT, which reflect the general effect of the material used on the animal health.

International Journal of Food Science & Technology (Impact Factor: 1.35). 05/2007; 42(9):1046 - 1051. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.01300.x