Toxicity studies of ajuga remota benth in rats (Rattus r et t usi and goats (Capra bircus

• Main Author: Galiwango, Badru
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1989
• Subjects: Goats; Rats; Ajuga remota benth; Usi; Rattus rattus
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11295/24415

A.iuga remota Benth. (Labiatae or Lamiacea) is a Bmall shrub found in many areas of Kenya. especially where land has been disturbed by human activities. The plant is known to have therapeutic activities. It is used for treatment of abdominal illnesses and toothache in human and blackleg in cattle. This study was undertaken to investigate its aqueous extract effects on animals, particularly pathological effects. Establishment of the mode of toxicity of A.iuga remota Benth was attempted by relating the clinical manifestations to the histopathological lesions in yiyo*. Weaner rats (Rattus rattus) of Sprague Rowley breed and goats (Capra hircus) were used to study the pathological effects of the toxic principles of A. jreWQts. The whole plant excluding roots were extracted in distilled water by boiling for a few hours, filtered through cotton-wool, number 1 filter paper and then centrifuged ah relative centrifugal force of 2.12x10 ^g. Then the aqueous extract was dehydrated by freese drying to obtain a powder. The powder was reconstituted in distilled water at required percentage. The aqueous extract was then sterilised 121®C for 15 minutes. It was administered Parenterally by subcutaneous route to experimental animals at various doses. Toxicity in rats was wcnitored by keen observation for symptoms, necropsy indings and histopathological study of tissues of animals that succumbed and those killed at the end of the experiments. Toxicity in goats was studied by objective observation for clinical signs, serum biochemistry and haematological changes. macroscopic and microscopic lesions of goat which died of acute, prolonged toxicity and those sacrificed were recorded. Aqueous extract was found to be non toxic to rate at levels below 1.37 gm/kg body weight. The lesions seen in rats depended largely on the dosage and duration of administration of extract to animals. Serially quantified doses were injected intraperitoneally into weaner rats to determine LD50. Then rats were observed for toxic effects. The medium lethal ...