TOXIC EFFECTS OF THE EXTRACTS OF EUGENIA UNIFLORA LINN IN RATS

Abstract

The toxic effects of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora Linn on rats was evaluated by observing abnormal changes in the haemogram including erythron and leukogram, serum biochemical parameters, histopathology, and hexobarbital sleeping time. The leaf extract produced significant increases in the packed cell volume (PCV) haemoglobin concentration and total red blood cell counts (P.05) but did not influence the blood coagulation time. Similarly the leaf extract of Eugenia uniflora produced significant increases (P.05) in the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotrasferase. Although the extract did not produce histological lesions of the liver, the increases in liver enzyme activities could be due to incipient liver damage.