Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of <i>Acalypha wilkesiana</i> on some Serum Biochemical Profiles of Mice in Sub-Acute Toxicity Studies

Abstract

Acalypha wilkesiana has been used for various medicinal purposes such as in the treatment of hypertension, fungal and bacterial
infections. In this study, the effects of prolonged oral administration of the aqueous leaf extract on some biochemical profiles of
mice were evaluated. A total of 80 mice were allocated to 4 groups (A, B, C and D) comprising of 20 mice each. Mice in group
A (control) were given (1 mL) of distilled water orally while 1 mL of the extract was given to the mice in groups B, C and D
daily at the concentrations of 800, 1000 and 1200 mg/kg, respectively. This was continued for three weeks and at the end of
each week, 4 mice from each group were humanely sacrificed and sera from blood samples collected were used for determination
of activities of biochemical parameters. The results showed that administration of the extract resulted in significantly (p < 0.05)
lower concentrations of total protein and cholesterol in the treatment groups at the 3rd week of treatment when compared to
control values. Glucose level was significantly (p > 0.05) higher in the extract-treated groups by the 3rd week of treatment, while
activities of AST, ALT and ALP were not significantly (p > 0.05) altered by the extract. There were no significant (p > 0.05)
differences between the levels of calcium, total and conjugated bilirubin in treatment and control groups, while sodium
concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher at day 14 after withdrawal of treatment, compared to the control. This study
suggests that the extract of Acalypha wilkesiana has a hyperglycaemic effect.

Keywords: Acalyphya wilkesiana, Aqueous Leaf Extract; Serum Biochemistry; Liver