Evaluation of Dennettia tripetala Baker F. Leaf Aqueous Extract Effect on Hyperthyroidism in Albino Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated Dennettia tripetala leaf aqueous extract effect on hyperthyroidism in albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). It was conducted at the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It lasted for seven weeks. Seventy-two male albino rats (Rattusnovergicus) weighing 66 – 108 g were assigned into six groups (A – F) with twelve rats (replicated three times, four rats per replicate) in each group. Three rats from each group were randomly selected and weighed before samples of blood were collected at days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats of groups B – F, orally with 600 µg/kg Levothyroxine for 14 days. Phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted. Whereas normal control (group A) and hyperthyroid control (group B) were fed water and food only, standard control (group C) received 1.35mg/kg of Carbimazole orally. The treatment groups were D – 100 mg/kg, E – 250 mg/kg and F – 500 mg/kg. Rats’body weights were determined at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 during treatment. The extract’s effect on hyperthyroid induced rats total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine(T4) and histology of thyroid gland were evaluated. Phytochemical screening recorded some secondary metabolites. Toxicity (LD50) test recorded no lethal effect at the highest dose (5000 mg/kg) administered. The extract graded dose effect was most effective on body weight on Day 7. It also caused a significant increase (P<0.05) in TC, LDL-C, TG, and TSH but significantly decreased (P<0.05) HDL-C and T3 and T4 compared with hyperthyroid control. Micrographs from extract treated rats showed no histologic alteration. However, there were observed variations in body weight, LDL-C, TG, TSH and T₄ the body weight at day 0 due to age differences among animals used. Aqueous Dennettiatripetala leaf extract seems to possess potential for ameliorating post induced hyperthyroidism effects in rat.

Keywords: Albino rat, Dennettia tripetala, Hyperthyroidism, Phytochemical screening, Lipid profile, Histopathology

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-8-05

Publication date: April 30^th 2019