Background: The unopened buds of the fruit of Harungana madagascariensis is used in the treatment of anaemia and skin diseases in traditional medicine. Hence, this study aims to scientifically evaluate the effects of oral administration of the fruit extract of Harungana madagascariensis on haematological, biochemical and histological parameters in Wistar rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening of the ethanol fruit extract of H. madagascariensis was carried out. Acute toxicity test was done using Lorke's method. Sub-acute toxicity studies were done using 24 rats of both sexes which were randomized into four groups of six rats each. Animals in groups A, B, C were administered with the extract at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively while group D animals were given distilled water (5 mg/ kg) and served as the control group. All administrations were done through the oral route for 30 consecutive days. Body weights of the animals were taken weekly during the study. The animals were sacrificed under diethyl ether anaesthesia and blood samples collected for evaluation of haematological (red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and white blood cell) and biochemical (alanine transferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and total protein) parameters. Histological examination was conducted on the liver and kidney of the animals. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, steroidal nucleus, saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and tannins. Acute toxicity test showed that the LD 50 was greater than 5000 mg/kg. There was no statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the RBC, HB, PCV and WBC of the extract treated groups when compared to the control group. There was however, a statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the creatinine level of the 500 mg/kg extract-treated group and the control. There was no statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in other biochemical parameters of the extract treated groups and the control group except for a marginal increase in the total protein in the group treated with 1000 mg/kg of the extract (60 g/L) compared with control (54.80 g/L). Histopathological examination showed alterations in the morphology of the liver and kidney in extract treated groups as compared to the control groups. Conclusion: The findings have revealed that the ethanol fruit extract of H. madagascariensis should be used with caution especially during prolonged usage as the histology showed it has nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic potentials. Further studies will be done to establish the effects of the extract on white blood cells.

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The bulbs of Crinum jagus bulbs are used in the treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine. This study was aimed at evaluating the toxicity of acetone extracts of Crinum jagus bulbs on albino rats following acute and sub-chronic exposure on haematological and biochemical parameters. The LD50 of this plant was estimated to be more than 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the bulbs extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars and saponins. In the repeated dose 28 days oral toxicity study, administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight of extracts revealed increase in body weights. The extract produced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in urea level and bicarbonate ion .There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT), and aspartate amino transferase (AST)) in the group treated with 250 mg/kg of extract when compared with the control. No significant (P > 0.05) changes in alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, conjugated bilirubin, total protein and haematological parameters of the treated groups compared with control were observed. The plant extract is however, not safe for long term use.

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the stem bark extract in albino rats. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity was done using fresh egg albumin induced rat paw edema with a plethysmometer, while the analgesic effect was determined using the analgesymeter mechanically induced pain. The methanolic extract of the stem bark of Anthocleista djalonensis was evaluated at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 400mg/kg through the oral route. Indomethacin (10mg/kg) was used as standard reference antiinflammatory and analgesic drug. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins and deoxysugars. The different doses of the extract significantly inhibited the egg albumin induced inflammation (P<0.05) in a non-dose dependent manner. The extract also significantly inhibited the pain (P<0.05) mechanically induced on the rat paw by the analgesymeter. The findings of this study showed that the plant possess significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

Cissus gracillis is used in the treatment of lumbago and pain. The analgesic activity of the ethanol extract of the stem and leaf of this plant was determined on mice and albino rats using radiant heat tail flick and acetic acid induced writhing assays. Extract was administered at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg through oral route. Phytochemical screening was done. Phytochemical screening showed presence of carbohydrates and terpenoids/steroids. In the tail flick assay, the difference in values was not statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.01) when compared with positive and negative control groups. There was a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference in the mean number of writhes between the extract treated groups and the negative control group. There was no statistically difference in the latency of the animals in the control and treatment groups in the tail flick assay. The findings of this study showed that ethanol extract of C. gracillis had significantly potent peripheral analgesic activity.