Eteng M.U., Abolaji A.O., Ebong P.E., Brisibe E.A., Dar A., Kabir N., Iqbal Choudhary M.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences
Eteng, M.U., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; Abolaji, A.O., Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Ebong, P.E., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; Brisibe, E.A., Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; Dar, A., Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan; Kabir, N., Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan; Iqbal Choudhary, M., Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Artemisia annua is widely used for the treatment of malaria and other disorders. In a previous study, the artemisinin concentration in the dry leaves of A. annua grown under humid tropical conditions was determined to be 1.098% using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. In the current study, biochemical and haematological evaluations of ethanolic leaf extracts derived from such plants (EAA) were carried out in 20 male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four study groups of saline-treated (control) and test groups exposed orally to graded doses of EAA for 28 days. The results showed that the liver function and haematological indices, and testosterone levels were not adversely affected. High density lipoprotein -cholesterol was reduced at 100 mg/kg of EAA, atherogenic index as well as low density lipoprotein -cholesterol was raised, and glucose concentration was reduced significantly at the 100 and 200 mg/kg of EAA (p < 0.05). In addition to serving as a possible antidiabetic agent, EAA may not predispose users to hepatotoxicity, haematotoxicity and testicular toxicity. However, due to the possible risk of atherosclerosis, we advise that the plant extract should be taken with caution in people with atherosclerotic condition. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
alcohol; antidiabetic agent; Artemisia annua extract; glucose; high density lipoprotein cholesterol; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; sodium chloride; testosterone; animal experiment; animal tissue; Artemisia annua; article; atherogenic index; atherosclerosis; biochemistry; blood examination; blood toxicity; cardiovascular parameters; controlled study; drug dose comparison; drug isolation; drug safety; drug screening; glucose blood level; hematological parameters; liver function; liver toxicity; male; nonhuman; plant leaf; rat; repeated drug dose; reproductive toxicity; testicular toxicity; testosterone blood level; treatment duration; Animals; Artemisia annua; Biological Markers; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Liver; Male; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Testis; Testosterone; Toxicity Tests, Subacute; Artemisia annua; Rattus; Rattus norvegicus