Ansah C., Mfoafo E.A., Woode E., Opoku-Okrah C., Owiredu W.K.B.A., Duwiejua M.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Laboratory Technology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Ansah, C., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Mfoafo, E.A., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Woode, E., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Opoku-Okrah, C., Department of Laboratory Technology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Owiredu, W.K.B.A., Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Duwiejua, M., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
In this study, we evaluated the aqueous extract of the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Periplocaceae), an anti-malarial herb in the West African sub-region for possible toxicity in rodents. Administration of cryptolepis (10-1000 mg kg-1) daily for two weeks did not cause significant changes in most of the haematological parameters assessed. However, the MCV reduced from a vehicle-treated value of 63.1±0.6 to 58.1±09 g dL-1 at a dose of 10 zng kr-1, which reflected in an increased MCHC (27.8±0.3 to 30.5±0.3 g dL-1), since the Hb concentration remained unchanged. Serum transaminase levels did not change significantly suggesting a limited effect on the liver. Administration of the extract (50-1000 mg kg-1, p.o.) 30 min before pentobarbitone (50 mg kg-1, i.p.) caused a dose-dependent prolongation of the rat sleeping time from 66.6±8.1 min (vehicle-treated control) to 266.5±7. 0 min (1000 mg kg-1). Similarly, daily treatment with the extract (50-1000 mg kg-1) for 2 weeks prolonged the sleeping time from 155±28.4 to 292.8:±28.7 min. This effect appeared to be CNS-related rather than an enzymatic as reflected in a decreased locomotor activity (1 9.4±1.5 to 1.84.8 min-1) at a dose of 500 mg kg-1 body weight. All together, our results suggest that Cryptolepis could synergize with hypno-sedatives or other CNS depressants and therefore caution needs to be taken in the concomitant administration of Cryptolepis and other CNS depressants. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.
alanine aminotransferase; albumin; alkaline phosphatase; aminotransferase; antimalarial agent; aspartate aminotransferase; bilirubin; carbon monoxide; central depressant agent; Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract; cytochrome P450; gamma glutamyltransferase; globulin; hemoglobin; hypnotic sedative agent; ketoconazole; pentobarbital; plant extract; alanine aminotransferase blood level; albumin blood level; alkaline phosphatase blood level; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; aqueous solution; article; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; bilirubin blood level; binding assay; central nervous system; controlled study; Cryptolepis; cryptolepis sanguinolenta; dose response; drug dose comparison; drug potentiation; drug solution; gamma glutamyl transferase blood level; hematological parameters; herbal medicine; kidney mass; liver toxicity; liver weight; locomotion; mean corpuscular hemoglobin; mean corpuscular volume; mouse; nonhuman; organ weight; plant root; protein blood level; rat; sleep time; spleen weight; stomach; toxicity testing