Implications of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in normal experimental rabbits

The leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana are eaten as vegetables as part of the traditional management of hypertension in Nigeria. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the implications of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine, in normal experimental rabbits. A total of eighteen (18) rabbits were randomized into three groups (A, B and C) of six animals each and treated with aqueous (A) and ethanol (B) extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves. The extracts were administered orally at a dose of 300mg/kg body weight for a period of twenty one (21) days. Group C animals served as control. Administration of the aqueous or ethanol extract, at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, to normal rabbits resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum creatinine. Treatment with the aqueous or ethanol extract also resulted in a non-significantly (P > 0.05) lower serum urea, chloride, sodium and potassium, as compared with the control, in normal rabbits. Also, treatment with the aqueous extract resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher, while administration of the ethanol extract resulted in lower (P > 0.05) serum calcium levels of the normal rabbits, as compared with the control.Keywords: Acalypha wilkesiana, Ethanol extract, Aqueous extract, Electrolytes, Urea, Normal Rabbit

Implications of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in normal experimental rabbits

The leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana are eaten as vegetables as part of the traditional management of hypertension in Nigeria. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the implications of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine, in normal experimental rabbits. A total of eighteen (18) rabbits were randomized into three groups (A, B and C) of six animals each and treated with aqueous (A) and ethanol (B) extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves. The extracts were administered orally at a dose of 300mg/kg body weight for a period of twenty-one (21) days. Group C animals served as control. Administration of the aqueous or ethanol extract, at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, to normal rabbits resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum creatinine. Treatment with the aqueous or ethanol extract also resulted in a non-significantly (P > 0.05) lower serum urea, chloride, sodium and potassium, as compared with the control, in normal rabbits. Also, treatment with the aqueous extract resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher, while administration of the ethanol extract resulted in lower (P > 0.05) serum calcium levels of the normal rabbits, as compared with the control

ACALYPHA WILKESIANA regulates fluid volume but affects selected tissues in salt loaded rabbits

Abstract Background In folk medicine, Acalypha wilkesiana is often used in the treatment of various ailments, although this has not been fully rationalized scientifically. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extracts on fluid volume and selected tissues in salt loaded rabbits. Methods Thirty rabbits were randomized into five groups consisting of six animals each. Group 1 animals were fed with salt loaded diet continuously. Group 2 animals were fed with salt loaded diet followed by aqueous extract while animals in group 3 were fed with salt loaded diet followed by ethanol extract. Animals in group 4 were fed with salt loaded diet and distilled water while group 5 animals were fed with normal diet only. Results Salt loading resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher ALT, AST and lower bicarbonate. Administration of Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extracts resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) lower serum sodium, chloride, bicarbonate and AST activities. Histology revealed that salt loading had no effect on the heart, but caused mild vacuolation in the liver, and marked lymphocytosis of the kidney. Administration of the aqueous extract caused blood vessel congestion in the heart, shrinking of portal vein in the liver and congestion of blood vessels in the kidney. Also, administration of the ethanol extract caused distortion in blood vessels in the heart, congestion of the portal vein in the liver and marked lymphocytosis in the kidneys. Conclusion It is advisable to be moderate in the use of Acalypha wilkesiana in folk medicine

Evaluation of the efficacy of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves in managing cardiovascular disease risk factors in rabbits exposed to salt-loaded diets

Abstract Background This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves on some serum parameters that are indicators or risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, in salt loaded rabbits. Method Thirty experimental rabbits used for this study were randomized into five groups (A to E) of six rabbits. Rabbits in groups A to D were given salt loaded diets. Groups B and C animals were also treated with aqueous and ethanol extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves respectively while rabbits in group E served as control. Results Salt loading resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum albumin, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and lower serum globulin, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, as compared with the control. Treatment with Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extracts (aqueous or ethanol), at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, globulin, and lower serum total protein, albumin, LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol, as compared with the control, in the salt loaded rabbits. Conclusion Acalypha wilkesiana may be useful in the management of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases

Toxicological implications of the therapeutic use of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves in traditional medicine

Abstract Background In traditional medicine, Acalypha wilkesiana is frequently used solely or as a composite part of many herbal preparations for therapeutic purposes. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, on some serum diagnostic enzymes in normal experimental rabbits. Methods Eighteen adult male experimental rabbits were randomized into three groups (A, B and C), comprising of six animals each. Group A animals were given aqueous extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, while group B animals were given ethanol extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves. The extracts were administered orally at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for a period of twenty-one (21) days. Group C animals were given water, thus they served as control. Data are represented as Mean ± S.E.M (n = 6). Significance of Difference was tested by ANOVA at P  0.05) lower serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatinine kinase (CK), as compared with the control animals. Conclusion In view of the effects of the plant extracts on ALP and LDH levels, the use of Acalypha wilkesiana leaf in traditional medicine should be with caution