Biological Effects of Ambrosia Maritima on Rats
Elmuaiz Gasmalbari, Hatil Hashim EL-Kamali, Osama Sharafeldin Abbadi · 2020
Background and aim: The uses of Ambrosia in herbal medicine are various and still to be explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ambrosia maritima in the blood glucose, serum lipids, Haemoglobin, hematologic values of blood cells, and the possible organ toxicity in laboratory rats in response to Ambrosia oral ingestion for three weeks. Materials and methods: Ambrosia maritima leaves were pounded to powder using a pestle. 100mg for each kilogram of bodyweight (mg/kg/bw) were weighted for each rat. Sera for blood glucose, lipid profile, blood parameters, and histology slides for liver and kidneys were prepared and studied after the above dose administration-orally, for three weeks. Results: There was a significant weight gain; increase in albumin level, mean corpuscular volume of Red blood cells (MCV), also there was a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol, serum Aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (AST), and white blood cells count (WBCs) and Platelets count of the Rats. Other blood and serum changes were insignificant. Histological examination showed hemorrhage and fatty changes, and renal tubular necrosis of epithelial cells and scattered lymphoid nodules in the congested cortex. Conclusion: Oral ingestion of Ambrosia maritima extract for three weeks reduced Cholesterol and blood glucose, increased the gross body weight, reduced AST, increased Albumin, MCV, MCHC, and reduced WBCs and Platelets in the Albino Rats. The nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects of Ambrosia are demonstrable in the histology slides.