Effects of Methanolic Extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F Seed on some Haematological and Kidney Function Parameters in Rats following Single or Repeated Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication

Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F seed on male rats following single (acute) or repeated (chronic) carbon tetrachloride intoxication.

Methods: Male albino rats were divided into groups of six each consisting of plant extract only, plant extract + carbon tetrachloride, solvent only, solvent + carbon tetrachloride, vitamin E only, vitamin E + carbon tetrachloride and untreated control. The rats in the acute experiment received the extract (5mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for two days, and 1 hour after administration of CCl4 (0.6ml/kg body weight) on the third day, while those in the chronic experimental model received 2.5mg/kg for 10 consecutive days with 72 hourly administration of CCl4 at 0.3ml/kg.

Results: In the acute model, the level of total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in D. reflexa seed extract pre-treated rats compared to the CCl4 control, while in the chronic model, the level of packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin were significantly (P<0.05) boosted in extract treated group compared to the CCl4 control group with concomitant reduction in the levels of bilirubin.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the seed of D. reflexa possess capacity to boost haematological parameters and protect the kidney against acute and chronic toxicological challenges.