Effects of Khaya grandifoliola (Meliaceae) on some biochemical parameters in rats

The antimalarial activity of the crude water extract of Khaya grandifoliola (Welw) CDC (Meliaceae) stem bark in mice has been reported. The biochemical effects of the crude water extract at doses of 100, 200 and 500mg/day were examine in plasma, liver, and heart after 7 and 21 days of administration and after a recovery period of 21 days. The extract had a significant hypoglycaemic, hypoproteinaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effect at p < 0.05 when compared to the control rats. Liver protein content and glutathione (GSH) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in groups treated with the extract. The concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma was not significantly reduced in groups treated with the extract. A non-significant increase in liver malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in the extract-administered groups. After the recovery period, the values returned to levels that were not significantly different from those of the control at (p < 0.05) for all the parameters examined. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.