Anti-Aflatoxigenc potentials of two Nigerian herbs on albino rats

Abstract

The anti-aflatoxigenic activity of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Phyllanthus niruri and Pseudocedrella kotschyi were studied in male and female Wister albino rats fed with aflatoxin –contaminated chow (112ppb) for 20 d. Morbidity studies arising from the dietary aflatoxin were carried out. Packed Cell Volume (PCV), fasting blood sugar (FBS), haemoglobin concentration (HB), total white blood cells (WBC), and serum bilirubin (SB) were profiled.. Extracts from both herbs lowered the PCB, blood glucose, Hb, WBC and SB levels in the test male than in control at P<0.05 using the ANOVA test for significance. The ethanolic extracts of Pseudocedrella and the methanolic extract of Phyllanthus were the most effective anti-aflatoxigenic agents in the male as they reduced the blood parameter levels by 50% of the positive control. The results were not so in the females. Post-mortem examination revealed kidney discoloration and paleness, mild to moderate hepatomegaly and enlarged spleen in the positive control while test rats showed normal morphology for these organs. The 2 local herbs are good candidates for the management of aflatoxicosis in mammals.