EFFECTS OF CRUDE Acacia nilotica DEL. ROOT EXTRACTS IN MICE

Abstract

Acacia nilotica 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 in the extracts. The safe dose of the crude extract was determined in mice to be 1000mg/kg with LD50 of 400mg/kg body weight. Forty mice were divided into two groups which served as test and control respectively and were assessed for the long term effects of crude acacia extracts over a five week period. The test groups were gavaged with 300mg/kg body weight of the crude extract daily, while the control groups were each given normal saline (20ml/kg b.w) over the study period. The results indicated significant (P<0.05) decreases in whole body weight and Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Serum Triglycerides, Glutamate Pyruvate Transaninase (SGPT), Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT) and Chloride were significantly (P<0.05) elevated. No significant (P>0.05) effects were obtained with Fasting Serum Glucose, Total Proteins, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Sodium and Potasium ions. Histopathological examinations indicated no changes in cardiac, pancreatic, spleen and intestinal tissues. However, a feathery degeneration of hepatocytes and destruction of nephrons were observed.