Abstract

EFFECTS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF AMARANTHUS SPINOSUS LEAF ON SOME SELECTED KIDNEY AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN RATS

Ezekwe C.I.*, Nnochiri Emmanuel C., Ugwu Okechukwu P.C. and Ezea S.C.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Amaranthus spinosus is one of the edible vegetable leaf cultivated in Africa for human and animal nutrition. The methanol leaf extract of Amaranthus spinosus gave a percentage yield of 3.64%. The phytochemical test carried out showed that the methanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus contains a high amount of alkaloids, which show that they can take part in nitrogen fixation in the body system, and also could be effective in the treatment of malaria. It also contains a high level of flavonoids and carbohydrate that help in energy supply of the body. The haematological test carried out showed that there was a decrease in PCV and an increase in RBC level in the blood and that it has the ability to reverse anaemia and other blood related diseases in the rat. The extract does not show any significant difference in the levels of creatinine and urea when compared to the control (p>0.05) meaning that the kidney can be able to perform its filtration function without being impaired by the level of creatinine and urea in the blood. This preliminary study strongly support the claims that the plant is an important source of blood in the body system.

Keywords: Amaranthus spinosus, Blood, Kidney markers, haematological parameters and anaemia.