Modulatory effect of Justicia secunda leaf extract on hematological status, lipid profile, liver function and oxidative stress in Wistar rats

Justicia secunda is a therapeutic plant with acclaimed beneficial health effects including blood-boosting potential. However, scientific evidence from in vivo analyses to buttress such claims have not been exhaustively provided. Herein, we investigated the effect of J. secunda leaf extract on organs, hematology, lipid profile and endogenous antioxidant activity in male rats grouped into seven groups of five animals each. Tween-dissolved extract, in various concentrations (10 mg/kg body weight (bwt), 100 mg/kg bwt, 1000 mg/kg bwt, 1600 mg/kg bwt, 2900 mg/kg bwt and 5000 mg/kg bwt), was orally administered to group II–VII, respectively, whereas group one (fed 20% tween solution only) served as the control. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed while blood was taken for hematological and biochemical assays. The liver, kidney and spleen were also isolated for histopathological analyses. In the sub-chronic toxicity analysis, the LD₅₀ was above 5000 mg/kg bwt. Packed cell volume, red blood cell and hemoglobin increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group II and IV compared with the other administered groups. No significant difference was observed in the activity of ALT, AST, ALP and creatinine (p < 0.05) across the groups administered 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg bwt extract relative to the control. The activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde was higher in the administered groups than the control. Cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was increased in a dose dependent manner in the treated rats. However, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was reduced.

Graphical abstract