International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences Gbaranor BK et al. Int J Res Med Sci. 2023 May;11(5):1483-1486 www.msjonline.org Original Research Article pISSN 2320-6071 | eISSN 2320-6012 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20231307 Effects of Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens leaves extract on selected female rat organs’ weights Barinua K. Gbaranor1*, Sam E. Kinako2, Williams A. Mube3, Abiye Tamuno-Opubo1, David S. Kue4, Lewis B. Lebara5, Kianen Sekiita6, Famba Famba D.7, Vivian Ile7, Gloria N. Nwosu8, Ijeoma N. Amadi8, Onita O. Ajumoke9, Ucheawaji F. Edward10, Faithwin Horsfall5, Ihundah Nmehielle-Oluwadare10, Henry A. Amadi-Ikpa11, Rehan O. Berepele8 1 Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Science, Port Harcourt, Nigeria Department of Anatomical Pathology, College of Medical Science, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 4 Department of Surgery, College of Medical Science, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University Port Harcourt, Nigeria 6 Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria 7 Department of Family Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 8 Department of Paediatrics, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 9 Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 10 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 11 Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 2 Received: 04 March 2023 Revised: 09 April 2023 Accepted: 12 April 2023 *Correspondence: Dr. Barinua K. Gbaranor, E-mail: barinua.gbaranor@ust.edu.ng Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT Background: Herbal medicine are patronized by several people across the globe This herbal medicine is routinely use and are more accessible and available. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens leaves on rat organs (thyroid gland, kidneys, ovary and fallopian tubes) weights in female rats. Methods: 20 female rats were selected randomly into 4 groups with 5 rats per group. Group 1 received 5 ml/kg of water, group 2 received extract 100 mg/kg, group 3 received extract 200 mg/kg, and group 4 received extract 400 mg/kg. Administration of extract was done for 28 days. Results: The study revealed significance decreased in the weight of the left ovary organ when extract of medium dose (200 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) was administered, as compared to control. The result also shows decrease in the organs weight of the thyroid gland, left kidney, right and left fallopian tubes extract of low, medium and high dose were administered. The right kidney shows increase when low dose extract was given but decrease when both low and medium dose of extract was given. However, this decrease is not significance and could be due to dose or time dependent. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 and p<0.05 was significant. Conclusions: There was significance decreased in the weight of the left ovary organ when extract of medium dose (200 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) was administered. Also, there is decrease in other organs weight when low, medium and high dose was given but not significance. Keywords: Effects, Organs, Rats, Weight International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences | May 2023 | Vol 11 | Issue 5 Page 1483 Gbaranor BK et al. Int J Res Med Sci. 2023 May;11(5):1483-1486 the Viscum album was 0.4 gm/kg (400 mg) of body weight was used as determined by Matthew et al.12 INTRODUCTION Herbs from various plants are important to several ethnic groups across the globe. These herbs usage is on the increase due to several reasons such as accessibility, affordability and its ability to give results. However, most of these herbs when consumed by the people lacks scientific documentation and these may result in several complications.1 The plant Englerina drummomdii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens (mistletoe) is a species of a commonly known plant called mistletoe that belongs to a large family called Loranthacae.2 Mistletoe (Englerina drummomdii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens) has a green leaves and fruits and grow on other plants as parasite.3 It is locally called atabe in Ogoniland, Niger Delta, Nigeria.4 Phytomedicine involves the use of various plant’s parts such as leaves, stems, seeds, fruits, barks and roots to treat certain disease at home. Several people have been patronizing herbal medicine to obtain better health care.4 Extract preparation from Viscum album (mistletoe) has been found to be antidiabetic and anticancerous.5-9 The phytochemical constituents of mistletoe have been revealed and vary according to the host plant and it include: glycoprotein, polypeptides (viscotoxin), flavonoids, flavonol agylcones, lectins, triterpenes, saponins, caffeic acid, lignans, cholines derivatives related to acetylcholine, vitamin C, histamine, resins, thionins, cardionolids and phenolic compounds. 9-11 Experimental animals and management The animals were obtained from the animal house, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt. 20 female rats were used. The animals were placed in cages under natural environmental condition. The animals were weighed before and after the commencement of administration of extract. The experimental animal’s weight was between 160-180 gm. The animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water and feed. The study was an experimental model using rats and was carried out for a period of two weeks (August 1st to August 14th 2022). Inclusion criteria Inclusion criteria include non-pregnant female rats that weighs between 160 gm to 180 gm before commencement of the experiment and the exclusion criteria are male rats, pregnant female rats, female rats less than 160 gm and greater than 180 gm of weight before commencement of the experiment. Statistical analysis Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 and p<0.05 was significant METHODS This study was approved by the ethical committee of the School of Graduate Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Plant collection, identification and preparation of extract Study design Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens (mistletoe) leaves were obtained from a forest in Khana local government area, Rivers State, Nigeria. The plant was introduced to the researcher by professor B. A. Ekeke (professor of silviculture and forestry) of the forestry department, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and identified and authenticated in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 20 female animals were selected randomly into 4 groups with five rats per group. Group 1 (control) received 5 ml/kg of distil water, group 2 received extract 100 mg/kg, group 3 received extract 200 mg/kg, group 4 received extract 400 mg/kg The Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens leaves were washed and thereafter completely air dried under normal room temperature. The dried leaves were grounded into powder. 3 kg of the grounded powder was placed in a maceration jar and 6.00 mils of 70% methanol (hydro methanol) was added. The extract was slowly evaporated to dryness in vacuum at 45°C using a rotary evaporator as described by Gbaranor et al.3 The LD50 of RESULTS Administration of extracts was done for 28 days and on 29th day, the animals were sacrificed and organs were collected. The LD50 used was 0.4 gm/kg (400 mg) of body weight. The results revealed significance decreased in the weight of the left ovary organ when extract of medium dose (200 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) was administered, as compared to control. The result also shows decrease in the organs weight of the thyroid gland, left kidney, right and left fallopian tubes extract of low, medium and high dose were administered. The right kidney shows increase International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences | May 2023 | Vol 11 | Issue 5 Page 1484 Gbaranor BK et al. Int J Res Med Sci. 2023 May;11(5):1483-1486 when low dose extract was given but decrease when both low and medium dose of extract was given. However, this decrease is not significance and could be due to dose or time dependent. Table 1: Effect of Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens leaves on rat organs weights. Groups Control Extract 100 mg/kg Extract 200 mg/kg Extract 400 mg/kg Thyroid gland mean±SD 0. 84±0.02 0.77±0.03 0.76±0.07 0.82±0.02 Right kidney mean±SD 0.69±0.04 0.77±0.19 0.56±0.02 0.57±0.11 Left kidney mean±SD 1.00±0.38 0.49±0.01 0.52±0.01 0.51±0.02 Left ovary mean±SD 0.29±0.09 0.17±0.11 0.05±0.00a 0.08±0.01a right fallopian tube mean±sd 0.22±0.11 0.15±0.03 0.05±0.01 0.13±0.03 Left fallopian tube mean±SD 0.21±0.12 0.13±0.02 0.06±0.01 0.14±0.02 a=p<0.05 when compared to normal control DISCUSSION Herbal medicine is patronized by several people across the globe This herbal medicine is routinely use and are more accessible and available. Several people have been depending on herbal medicine for the treatment of their illness without taking into consideration the effects of over dependence on the herbal medicine. The study revealed significance decreased in the weight of the left ovary organ when extract of medium dose (200 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) was administered, as compared to control. The result also shows decrease in the organs weight of the thyroid gland, left kidney, right and left fallopian tubes when extract of low, medium and high dose was administered. The right kidney showed increase when low dose extract was given but decrease when both low and medium dose of extract was given. However, this decrease is not significance and could be due to dose or time dependent. This could be that, the extract can be a potent organs’ weight reduction substance. This study is in consonant with previous study which revealed decreased in the body weight of rats and this suggest that this extract could be used as a weight reduction substance but the people should also be cautious because excessive shrinkage in body’s organs weight could be a pointer to a disease condition.1 Also, this significance decrease in the left ovary could affect reproductive process because the ovary will not be able to carry out its physiological functions including production of female sex cells and sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone production). more accessible and available. Several people have been depending on herbal medicine for the treatment of their illness without taking into consideration the effects of over dependence on the herbal medicine and the results from our findings revealed a significance decrease in the left ovary of the animal’s rat’s organs weight and also decrease in the rat’s organs weight such as thyroid gland, left kidney, right and left fallopian tubes when extract of low, medium and high dose was administered. However, this decrease is not significance and could be due to dose or time dependent. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Authors would like to thank Nazor Barinua-Gbaranor, Nuazor V. Barinua-Gbaranor and Kedumle S. BarinuaGbaranor for their support, understanding encouragement during this period of research. We would also like to acknowledge Excellent Support Global Foundation for their moral support. Funding: No funding sources Conflict of interest: None declared Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of School of Graduate Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria REFERENCES 1. 2. Limitations of the study was that it faced inadequate finance, non-availability of sone equipment’s required for the study and unstable power. 3. CONCLUSION Herbal medicine is patronized by several people across the globe. This herbal medicine is routinely used and are Gbaranor BK, Alasia OM, Tee PG, Nonju TI, Austin-Asomeji I, Nonju II, et al. Effects of hydroalcohol extract of mistletoe leaves on changes in body-weight, uterus-weight, right ovary and liver in female rats. Int J Res Med Sci. 2022;10(7):1421-5. Gbaranor KB, Ovili-Odili BZ, Okpara EP, TamunoOpubo A, Victor PD, Orupabo CD, et al. 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