Effects of crude acacia nilotica del. Root extracts in mice

Abstract

Acacia nilotka root extract is used for the management of malaria and other diseases in Northern Nigeria. An extract yield of 21.25% was obtained from dry Acacia roots on extraction with methanol. Alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins and flavonoids were identified i n the extracts. The safe dose of the crude extract was determined in mice to be l00 mg/kg with LDso of 40 0mg/ kg body weight. Forty mice were divided in to two groups which served as test and control respectively and were assessed for the l ong term effects of crude acacia extracts over a five wee k period. The test groups were gavaged with 300mg/ kg body weigh tor the crude extract daily, while the control groups were each given normal saline (20 ml/ kg b .w) over the study pe riod. The resul ts ind icated significa n t (P<0 .05) decreases i n whol e body weigh t an d Packed Cel l Vol u m e (PCV). Serum Triglycerides, G l uta ma te Pyruva te Tra nsan inase (SG PT), Gluta m ate Oxaloaceta te Transa mi nase (SGOT) an d Chloride were significa n tly (P<0.05) elevated . No sign ifican t (P> 0.05) effects were obtai ned with Fasting Serum Glucose, Total Proteins, Alkal i ne Phosp hatase (ALP), Sodiu m an d Potasium ions. Histopathological examinations indicated no changes i n ca rdiac, pa n creatic, spleen and intesti nal tissues. H owever, a feathery degeneratio n of hepatocytes and destruction of nephrons were observed .