Safety evaluation of bioactive sub-fraction of <i>Lawsonia inermis</i> Linn. leaves in male Wistar rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the safety of bioactive labelled sub-fraction of Lawsonia inermis in male Wistar rats. Twenty male rats were used for this study of five rats per group. Three groups were administered methanol bioactive sub-fraction of Lawsonia inermis at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg for fourteen days while control received distilled water orally. Physiological weight increased in all treatment groups. The group fed with 10 mg/kg had the highest weight gain compared to other treatment groups and the control. Relative organ weight of the heart, liver, kidneys, testes and pancreas did not increase (p>0.05) in all the treatment groups except the pancreas in the group fed with 5 mg/kg that increased significantly (p<0.05). The sperm count in rats fed at dose rate of 10 mg/kg increased significantly (p<0.01) compared to other treatment groups. There were no significant differences in sperm motility, volume and live/dead ratio in the treatment groups compared to control. Haematological parameters such as, PCV, RBC, WBC and haemoglobin concentration were not significantly different compared to control. The AST increased significantly (p<0.01) while urea and creatinine decreased significantly (p<0.001) in group fed with 2.5 mg/kg. 5 mg/kg showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in total protein, urea and ALP while ALT increased significantly. Serum chloride ion at the dose rate of 2.5 mg/kg decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with other treatment groups. Sodium ion (Na+) decreased significantly (p<0.01), while Bicarbonates (HCO³) increased significantly in the 5 mg/kg group. It was concluded that the bioactive subfraction of Lawsonia. inermis was safe at the administered dosages.