1. No category

International Journal of Pharma Sciences
Vol. 5, No. 3 (2015): 1050-1055
Research Article
Open Access
ISSN: 2320-6810
Effects of Oral Administration of Aqueous Extract of
Kuding Leaves on the Weight and Packed Cell Volume
(PCV) of Wistar Albino Rats
Alisa C.O1*, Ezeigwe O. C2, Ononamadu C.J3* , Obasi N. A4, Ezem S. N5 and Okoro J.C2
1
Department of Chemistry,Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Department of Applied Biochemistry,NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
3
Deparment of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, Nigeria Police Academyu, Wudil Kano State, Nigeria
4
Department of Applied Biochemistry,MichaelOkpalla University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
5
Department of Science Laboratory Technology,AkanuIbiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Nigeria.
2
* Corresponding author: Ononamadu C.J, e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Received: 20 March 2015
Accepted: 10 April 2015
Online: 01 May 2015
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on weight and its consequent effect on the
Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of Wistar Albino rats. Twenty (20) Wistar rats weighing between 145g and 150g were
used for this study. The animals were divided into four groups of five rats each. The aqueous extract of Kuding
leaves was given orally to the rats once daily for a period of four (4) weeks. Group one (Control) were given
10ml/kg of distilled water, Group two were given 200mg/kgbw of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves, Group three
received 300mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves, Group four received 400mg/kgbw of aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves. The weight of the rats and the PCV were checked at the interval of one week for one month. The
results obtained from this study show that the rats that received 200mg/kgbw of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves
showed no significant decrease (p>0.05) in weight in the first week but showed a significant (p>0.05) decrease in
weight after four weeks of administration. The group that received 300mg/kgbw of aqueous extract of Kuding
leaves showed a significant decrease (p>0.01) in weight after the second, third and fourth week when compared to
the control group. The group that received 400mg/kgbw of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves showed a significant
progressive decrease (p>0.05) in weight from second to fourth week of administration when compared to the
control group. The group that received 200mg/kg bw showed a significant increase (p>0.05) in PCV after four
weeks. The group that received 300mg/kg bw showed no significant change (p>0.05) in PCV but maintained the
normal PCV values recorded at the beginning of the experiment. The group that received 400mg/kg showed a
significant decrease (p>0.05) in PCV after third and fourth week. The extract at a dose of 400mg/kg bw caused a
significant decrease in weight but with a detrimental effect on PCV. The extract can be recommended for weight
reduction only at a dose of 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg bw to avoid any serious effect on the PCV of the subject.
Further study should be carried out to determine the effect of the extract on other haematological indices.
Keywords: Kuding leaves, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Weight Loss, Obesity, Cardiovascular diseases.
1. INTRODUCTION
Obesity/Overweight has become a major health
problem the world round. It is caused by excessive
storage of calories from diet [1]. Obesity and
overweight has been implicated as a risk factor in
diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia,
cardiovascular diseases, and even non-alcoholic
steatopatitis [2-4]. Prevention and treatment of
obesity/overweight could go a long way in helping
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patients with these conditions. Available options for
treatment are limited but the use of FDA recommended
‘Orlistat’, and weight loss treatment strategies - dietary
therapy, physical activity, behavioural therapy as well
as plant derived products have been reported [1,4].
Kudingcha is the leaves of Ilex Kudingcha C. J. Tseng
(Aquifoliaceae). It is a herbal bitter-tasting tea used in
folk medicine in China [5,6]. Today, nearly 20 plants
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from different families with similarities in appearance,
flavour, and traditional usage in different areas of China
are all named “Kudingcha” but the two most common
plant used to make Kuding, are the wax tree species
Ligustrum robustum (syn. Ligustrum purpurascens), and
the holly species Ilex Kaushue (synonyms: Ilex
Kudingcha). The former being more commonly grown
and used in the rest of China [6,7]. Ilex Kudingcha has
been reported to possess antioxidative, hypotensive,
antiobesity,
antidiabetic,
antioxidant,
antiinflammatory, lipid metabolism, hepatoprotective, and
anti-tumor activities [13]. Its role in the prevention and
treatment of overweight, cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular
diseases,
pharyngitis,
cancer,
arteriosclerosis, hypertension, dizziness, insomnia,
palpitations, and chest tightness caused by
cardiovascular diseases has also been reported [6, 811]. It contains well over 200 components which
include: Vitamin C, proteins polyphenols, flavones,
catechin, antioxidants-, caffeine, saponin which is
responsible for the bitter taste. [5, 6, 8-11]. However,
there is dearth of reliable data on the scientific
evaluation of some of these reported medicinal
potentials of this plant. This present study investigates
the effect of the aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on
weight as well as packed cell volume (PCV) considering
the saponin content of the plant.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Sample Preparation
Dried leaves of Kuding tea (Ilex Kudingcha) were
purchased from China. It was identified and
authenticated by the Ethnobotanist, Mr. P. O.
Ugwuozor,
in
the
Department
of
Botany,
NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka. The plant material
was grounded using corona manual grinding machine.
2.2 Sample Extraction
The ground sample was extracted by soaking in
distilled water for 24 hours and then filtered and
concentrated at 550C using Electrical Thermostatic
Water Bath (Model No. KJ420).
2.3 Experimental Animals
Exactly 20 Wistar Albino Rats weighing between 145g
and 150g were purchased from the Animal House of
Chris Farms in Awka, Anambra State and used for this
work. They were acclimatized for two weeks prior to
the commencement of the experiment. They were kept
at room temperature and maintained ad libitum on
growers mash. The animals were weighed and the
initial weight taken before the commencement of the
experiment.
2.4 Experimental Design
The rats were divided into four groups of 5 rats each.
The animals were orally administered aqueous extract
of Kuding leaves for 4 weeks and observed for change
in weight and PCV every one week.
Group A: Normal Control: Distilled water (10ml/kg)
Group B: Extract: 200mg/kg
Group C: Extract: 300mg/kg
Group D: Extract: 400mg/kg
2.5 Determination of Parameters
Weights were taken in grams using XSE Analytical
Balance. The packed cell volume (PCV) was determined
by the micro haematocrit method according to Dacie
and Lewis [12].
2.6 Statistical Analysis
Data obtained from the experiments were analyzed
using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
software for windows Version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago,
Illinois, USA). All the data were expressed as Mean ±
Standard Deviation. Statistical analyses of the results
were performed using Tukey’s post-hoc ANOVA the
student’s t-test. The limit of significance was set at
p<0.05.
Figure 1: Normal weekly increase in body weight without administration of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves.
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3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Determination of the effect of Kuding leaves on
weight of rats
The average weight of the control group after four
weeks was 188.8 ± 3.361. Daily administration of
200mg/kg b.w aqueous extract of Kuding leaves caused
a decrease in weight to 169.8 ±1.923 after four weeks
although the decrease was not significant (p>0.05).
Daily administration of 300mg/kg aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves caused a significant (p<0.01) decrease in
weight 159.2 ± 11.96 after four weeks. Daily
administration of 400mg/kg aqueous extract of Kuding
leaves caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in weight
147.4 ± 4.393 after four weeks. Oral administration of
the aqueous extract of Kuding leaves caused a decrease
in the body weights of the rats after four weeks as can
be seen from figures 2, 3 and 4.
Figure 2: Effects of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on weight when administered at a dose of 200mg/kg bw.
Figure 3: Effects of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on weight when administered at a dose of 300mg/kg bw.
Figure 4: Effects of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on weight when administered at a dose of 400mg/kg bw.
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Alisa CO et al. / Int J Pharma Sci. 2015, 5(3): 1050-1055
Figure 5: Effects of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on weight when administered at different doses (200mg/kg, 300mg/kg,
and 400mg/kg bw).
3.2 Determination of the effect of aqueous extracts
of Kuding leaves on PCV
The Control group maintained a normal PCV after four
weeks of daily oral administration of aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves for a period of four weeks.Daily
administration of 200mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves for four weeks caused a significant
(p>0.05) increase in PCV from 30.40 ± 1.140 to 35.80 ±
1.788.Daily administration of 300mg/kg bw of aqueous
extract of Kuding leaves for four weeks caused a slight
increase in PCV from 28.80 ± 3.361 to 29.40 ± 2.408.
Daily administration of 400mg/kg bw of aqueous
extract of Kuding leaves for four weeks caused a
significant (p>0.05) decrease in PCV from 28.40 ± 1.341
to 19.00 ± 2.645.
Figure 6: PCV results at weekly intervals without administration of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves.
Figure 7: Effect of the administration of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on PCV at a dose of 200mg/kg bw.
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Alisa CO et al. / Int J Pharma Sci. 2015, 5(3): 1050-1055
Figure 8: Effect of the administration of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on PCV at a dose of 300mg/kg bw.
Figure 9: Effect of the administration of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on PCV at a dose of 400mg/kg bw.
Figure 10: Effect of the administration of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves on PCV at different doses (200mg/kg, 300mg/kg,
400mg/kg bw).
Our investigation show that the aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves has a reductive effect on the weight of
the animals following daily administration for four
weeks. Administration for one week did not show any
significant decrease in weight for the three doses
(200mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 400mg/kg bw). The dose of
400mg/kg bw showed a significant (p>0.01) decreasein
weight 159.2 ± 5.495 when compared to the weight
170.4 ± 1.140 of the control group after two weeks
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administration. The results obtained on the average
weight of the rats after three weeks administration of
300mg/kg and 400mg/kg bw showed a significant
(p>0.05) decrease in the average weight 160.8 ± 11.18
and 155.8 ± 5.357 respectively when compared to the
average weight 179.4 ± 2.073 of the control group.
Our result shows that there was significant (p>0.01)
decrease in weight after four weeks following the
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administration of the aqueous extract of Kuding leaves
at a dose of 200mg/kg bw. Also, there was a significant
(p>0.05) decrease in weight159.2 ± 11.96 after four
weeks of daily oral administration of aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves at a dose of 300mg/kg bw when
compared to the control group in which the weight
after four weeks was 188.8 ± 3.361.Oral administration
at a dose of 400mg/kg bw revealed a significant
(p>0.05) decrease in weight 147.4 ± 4.393 after four
weeks when compared to the Control group whose
average weight was 188.8 ± 3.361 after four weeks. The
effect of the oral administration of the different doses
of the aqueous extract of Kuding leaves is as
summarized in figure 5.
The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of the rats at different
doses were also analysed at weekly intervals in order
to know the effect of the activity of the aqueous extract
of Kuding leaves on the PCV of the rats. There was no
significant difference in the PCV values for the three
different doses 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 400mg/kg
bw after first and second week of administration.
four weeks although there was a significant reduction
in the weight of the rats.
The aqueous extract of Kuding leaves at a dose of
400mg/kg bw caused a significant decrease in the
weight of the rats which also caused a substantial
decrease in the PCV of the rats. The effect of the
aqueous extract of Kuding leaves in weight loss is dosedependent and therefore should be put into
consideration before use. Doses could be alternated in
long term use. High initial dose (400mg/kg bw) can be
maintained with lower dose (200 or 300mg/kg bw)
subsequently. The high dose use introduced
intermittently in between low dose use.
4. Ethical Approval
All authors on this note declare that “Principles of laboratory
animal care” were followed. All experiments have been
examined and approved by the ethics committee of Nnamdi
Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
5. REFERENCES
Oral daily administration of the aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves for a period of three weeks has an effect
in the PCV of the rats and the effect was dosedependent. The dose of 200mg/kg bw revealed a
significant (p<0.01) increase in PCV from 30.40 ± 1.140
to 33.60 ± 2.509. The extract at a dose of 300mg/kg bw
did not show any observable changein PCV values after
three
weeks
of
daily
administration.Daily
administration of 400mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves for three weeks caused a significant
(p>0.01) decrease in PCV from 28.40 ± 1.341 to 25.60 ±
1.140.
Daily administration of 200mg/kg bw of aqueous
extract of Kuding leaves for four weeks caused a
significant (p>0.05) increase in PCV from 30.40 ± 1.140
to 35.80 ± 1.788. Daily administration of 300mg/kg bw
of aqueous extract of Kuding leaves for four weeks
caused a slight increase in PCV from 28.80 ± 3.361 to
29.40 ± 2.408. However, the increase in the PCV values
at a dose of 300mg/kg bw was not significant (p>0.05).
Daily administration of 400mg/kg bw of aqueous
extract of Kuding leaves for four weeks caused a
significant (p>0.05) decrease in PCV from 28.40 ± 1.341
to 19.00 ± 2.645.
In conclusion, from the discussion above, it is pertinent
to understand that although the aqueous extract of
Kuding leaves can be used for weight management,
care should be taken to avoid having a detrimental
effect some haematological indices such as the packed
cell volume of the blood in the individual. The aqueous
extract of Kuding leaves at a dose of 200mg/kg bw
showed an increase in the PCV of the blood after
continuous
administration
for
four
weeks
while300mg/kg bw maintained a normal PCV value
without causing any substantialchange in PCV after
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