Planta Med 2016; 82(S 01): S1-S381
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1596307
Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Toxicological evaluation of Citrullus Mucosospermus (Fursa.) in Wistar rats

AT Olayemi
1   Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan. Ibadan. Nigeria
,
MJ Olanrewaju
1   Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan. Ibadan. Nigeria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 December 2016 (online)

 

A subspecies of Citrullus lanatus (syn: Citrullus mucosospermus) [1] which is also diffentiated as Mucosospermus fursa or “Egusi melon” as it is popularly called, has found use as a medicinal food plant. It is an annual herb which is cultivated in the tropics. ”Egusi melon” is pale yellow green and bitter unlike the common red juicy one. Myriads of researches have been carried out on the whole plant but there are in contrast few references to its toxicity profile and evaluation. Hence, this study evaluated the toxicity profile of the fruit pulp of Citrullus mucosospermus and the corresponding effects on vital organs of Wistar rats using the biochemical, heamatological and histopathological indices. Daily doses of 100, 200, 400 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of crude methanol extracts of Citrullus mucosospermus fruit pulp were administered orally to 4 groups of 5 rats per group each for 28 days. A control group of 5 rats was also included in the Experiment. Heamatological, biochemical and histopathological indices were evaluated by standard methods. Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance and statistically significant difference was considered at p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001. Histopathological changes were observed in the heart, liver, lungs, spleen and kidneys of rats treated with the extract at all doses tested. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in neutrophils, as well as an insignificant decrease in white blood cells (WBC) and platelets were observed. Otherwise, a significant decrease in aspartate amino transferase (AST) [2], alanine amino transaminase (ALT) [3] and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) [4] levels were also observed. The results suggest that the fruit pulp extract of C. mucosospermus could boost immunity and offer hepatoprotective effects.

Acknowledgements: Dr. 'Sanmi Aina is acknowledged for the interpretation of histopathology results.

Keywords: Citrullus mucosospermus, heamolysis, histopathology, biochemical and heamatological indices.

References:

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