Biotechnology Journal International

Senna alata is a medicinal plant in the family Fabaceae and is widely used in traditional medicine for the management of several conditions. Although the plant is commonly used, information on its haematological and biochemical effects remains limited. This study assessed the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Senna alata on body weight, haematological parameters, serum metabolites and serum enzyme activity in albino rats. Fresh leaves were collected from Mubi town, Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria, authenticated, air-dried for 14 days, powdered and extracted with absolute ethanol. Twenty albino rats were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group 1 served as the normal control and received feed and water only, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 received the ethanolic leaf extract orally at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 14 days. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analyses, and data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analysed using one-way ANOVA. The extract did not produce a serious effect on body weight, as percentage weight variation ranged from 3.01 to 4.70. Red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not significantly different from the control. White blood cell count increased significantly in Group 2, while platelet values decreased significantly in Groups 2 and 4. Albumin, globulin, urea and total protein showed no significant differences, whereas glucose decreased in all treated groups. ALT increased in Group 2 and ALP increased in Group 3. Overall, the extract showed no serious adverse effect at the tested doses.