Effects of aqueous and ethanol extract of dried leaves of Pseudocalymma alliaceum (Bignonaceae) on haematological and biochemical parameters of wistar rats

Objective: To perform the toxicological evaluation of aqueous and ethanol extract of dried leaves of Pseudocalymma alliaceum (P. alliaceum) in male Wistar rats by oral administration for 14 days, and to determine the biochemical and haematological status of blood. Methods: The animals were completely randomized into four groups of three rats each. Results: No deaths were reported after oral administration of the extracts, no physical signs of toxicity or adverse effects were observed. Hematological indices of red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin showed no significant abnormality; however, white series levels decrease presenting a leukopenia. Glucose, creatinine and albumin increased, while urea decreased; aspartate aminotransferase values decreased with the aqueous extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg and increased with dose of 200 mg/kg, in contrast ethanol extract caused an increase in this parameter to the doses used. The alanine aminotransferase decreased with aqueous extract and increased with ethanol extract. Triglycerides decreased when used aqueous extract and reduced with ethanol extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg, in contrast to 50 mg/kg decreased to be compared with control group. Conclusions: The daily intake of P. alliaceum did not produce acute toxicity to 50 mg/kg which may be interpreted as toxic signs or biological damage, but liver and renal function changes at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg; however, the reduction ability of white blood cells count could be used as a basis for specific studies on the treatment of patients with leukemia.