Toxicity of the Concurrent Administration of the Ethanol Leaf Extract of African Eggplant and Bitter Leaf on the Stomach and Selected Haematological Ratios in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: African eggplant and bitter leaf plant are important plants in many African communities; they are eaten as vegetables and also used in the management of metabolic disorders. Objectives: This study investigated the sub-acute effect of oral administration of ethanol extract of African eggplant and bitter leaf plant on selected haematological ratios; platelets to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the histology and antioxidant enzymes activity Catalase (CAT), Malodialdehyde (MDA), reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the stomach of male Wistar rats. Methodology: The rats were grouped into four; control [A] which received no treatment and 3 test groups; B [100 mg/kg of African eggplant], C [100 mg/kg of bitter leaf], and D [100 mg/kg of bitter leaf and 100 mg/kg of African eggplant] respectively, orally administered for 14 days. Results: Results revealed that group D rats showed significant changes in the level of SOD, GSH, and MDA activities alongside significant changes in some antioxidant enzyme levels of the stomach of groups B and C rats. The histopathology review of the stomach across all test groups showed some pathological changes. Across all test groups, there was an increase in PL- ratio and NL- ratio when compared to the control. Conclusion: Extrapolating from the results of this study, the 1000 mg/kg ethanol leaf extract of African eggplant and bitter leaf concurrently is toxic to the stomach and may also cause inflammation and should be consumed with caution.