Some biochemical effects of various doses of aqueous seed extracts of Cassia occidentalis in rabbits

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the biochemical effects of oral administration of an aqueous Cassia Occidentalis seed extract (COSE) in rabbit. Sixteen rabbits weighing between 1.10 – 1.5kg were divided into five groups of four rabbits each. Group 1 served as control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 100, 200 and 300mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively daily for four weeks intragastrically. Blood were collected from the rabbits by marginal ear vein puncture for biochemical analysis. The extract caused an increase in body weight and produced no significant changes in the haematological parameters and plasma cholesterol level. The extract also produced a dose dependent increase in urea level. No histopathological lesion was observed in the liver and kidney.
Key words: Cassia occidentalis, Caesalpiniaceae, biochemical, aqueous extract, rabbit.