Effects of Datura Metel Leaves Extract on Blood Parameters and Lipid Profile Using Albino Rats as Model

Datura metel is commonly found locally and it is readily available to the people, consequently, it is abused and deliberately used as poison. The aim of this study is to ascertain the effect of Datural metel through blood parameters and lipid profile when consumed through food intake using albino rat model. The leaves were extracted with ethanol and the phytochemical parameters determined. Different concentration of the extract were mixed with rat food and the food were fed to albino rats placed in four groups of five. The blood and lipid profile of rats were picked from each group determined at the end of week 1,2 and 3. Rats from each group was sacrificed and the blood was collected through cardiac puncture which was later analyzed for blood parameters and lipid profile. The results obtained from the first set of rats did not show any significant effect on the blood parameters and lipid profile, but the results obtained from subsequent sacrificed rats showed gradual increase in the values of the rate of haemoglobin (HB) 6.7 – 10G/DL, Red blood cells (RBC) 3.82 – 4.43 x 106µl and mean cell volume (MCV) 52.36 – 69.98FL. The results obtained for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) are irregular. There is gradual decrease in the results obtained for low density lipoproteins (LDL) 27.2 – 20.2 mg/dl and cholesterol 79 -71 mg/dl. This study suggests that the concentration of ethanolic extracts of Datura metel leaves have different active components that have diverse revamping effects on the blood parameters and lipid profile based on concentration of the extracts and duration of intake of the extract. This invariably portray that presence of Datura metel in food can enhance the quality of the food in the body and also maintain good cardiovascular wellbeing based on its concentration and timeline of consumption.