Effects Of Extracts Of Telfairia occidental Is Leaves On Some Biochemical Parameters In Rat

Ethanolic extract of the leaf of Telfairea occidentalis was orally administered to wistar rats for 14 days. On the 15th day the rats were sacrificed and blood was taken from their hearts for analysis. The levels of proteins, hemoglobin, protein fractions, glucose, cholesterol, alanine transaminase (ALAT) and aspartate tarnsaminase (ASAT) were determined. The objective of the study was to investigate some claims made by herbal practitioners that the leaf of the plant is used in management or treatment of ailments such as cholesterolemia, liver problems, anaemia etc. The leaf extract lowered the levels of cholesterol, ASAT and ALAT activities, b-globulin, albumin, albumin/globulin quotient, but increased the levels of total proteins, a-globulins, and Y-globulins. The results of this work showed that the use of the leaf extract in the treatment of cholesterolemai, liver problems and impaired immune/defence system is justifiable. KEY WORDS: Telfaria occidentalis, medicinal plant, protein fraction, alanine – and aspartate-transaminase Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(1) 2005: 85-8