Effect of Methanol Root Extract of Datura Metel on Liver Function and Hematological Indices in Albino Rats

Abstract

For over the past decades plants have been a vital source of drug substance which has been a resurgence of interest to researchers for natural materials as potential alternative for the treatment and management of several diseases. Datura metel be longs to the family Solanaceae, a shrub-like annual herb commonly known as devil's trumpet. Because of the high cost of some synthetic drugs, some especially the youth have turn to consuming of plants materials to reach their desire. The roots of Datura metel have been used as pain resistant during traditional customs, as such, it toxic effect needs to be investigated for its safety. The root of Datura metel was extracted by cool maceration using methanol. (25) Rats were used for the sub-chronic toxicity study and were divided into five (5) groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as the control and received distilled water only while groups 2 to 5 were administered with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of the extract respectively. Alkaline Phosphatase and Total Bilirubin in all the treated groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05) when compared to the normal control. Albumin, Aspartate Amino Transferase, Alanine Amino Transferase and Direct Bilirubin concentrations significantly decreased across all the treated groups when compared to the normal control. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in packed cell volume and Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration in the groups administered with the extract when compared to the normal control group. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that methanol root extract of Datura metel is potentially safe.