PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF Hamelia patens LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST CCl₄-INDUCED TOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO RATS: HAEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, OXIDATIVE AND INFLAMMATORY EVIDENCE
OGECHI SAMUEL EZE1*, OLORUNSHOLA DAVE OMODAMIRO1, GODWIN SUNDAY ALOH1
1 Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 18(2): 863-872; 2026
ABSTRACT
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induces systemic toxicity associated with haematological, hepatic, renal, oxidative and inflammatory disturbances, necessitating investigation of protective agents. This study evaluated the protective effects of aqueous Hamelia patens leaf extract (HPLE) against CCl₄-induced toxicity in male albino rats. Thirty-five rats (140–160 g) were randomly assigned to seven groups (n=5): normal control, CCl₄ control, silymarin (50 mg/kg)+CCl₄, HPLE (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg)+CCl₄, and HPLE-only (800 mg/kg). Hepatotoxicity was induced with CCl₄ (0.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneally), followed by daily oral treatment for 28 days. Haematological, hepatic, renal, antioxidant and inflammatory parameters were assessed and analysed using one-way ANOVA at P<0.05. CCl₄ reduced RBC, PCV and Hb from 6.94±0.13 to 4.39±0.31 ×10⁶/mm³, 44.33±0.58 to 33.33±2.89%, and 14.60±0.36 to 11.00±0.87 g/dL, respectively. HPLE (800 mg/kg) improved these to 5.78±0.37 ×10⁶/mm³, 40.00±1.73% and 13.40±0.26 g/dL. ALT, AST and bilirubin increased from 27.00±2.65, 33.00±2.65 U/L and 0.60±0.04 mg/dL to 111.33±7.10, 122.00±13.00 U/L and 1.17±0.03 mg/dL, respectively, but declined to 76.67±2.52, 69.00±4.00 U/L and 0.83±0.05 mg/dL following HPLE (800 mg/kg). Urea and creatinine increased to 35.20±1.87 and 1.29±0.04 mg/dL, respectively, but decreased to 27.90±1.68 and 0.92±0.02 mg/dL. HPLE also improved antioxidant and inflammatory profiles. The findings indicate haematoprotective, hepatoprotective and renoprotective potential of HPLE. Further studies should establish its mechanisms, safety and therapeutic relevance.
Keywords: Hamelia patens, carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotection, nephroprotection, haematological parameters, silymarin.
Correspondence: [email protected]
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2026.2.14 | ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)