Abstract

Zygotritonia crocea is a medicinal plant that belongs to the plant family of Iridaceae. It is well known traditionally in the Western Nigeria for treatment of intestinal disorder associated with typhoid, diarrhoea and dysentery, and as component of anti-tuberculosis recipes. In this present study, the biochemical changes occasioned by the oral administration of aqueous and ethanolic corm extracts of the plant were considered. Forty-two female rats were grouped into two (1 and 2) of twenty-one rats per group. Each group was divided into three sub-groups (1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b and 2c,) of seven rats per sub-group. 1b and 1c were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight aqueous extract respectively for twenty-one days. 2b and 2c were also treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight ethanolic extract respectively for twenty-one days. 1a and 2a served as control for each group. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts produced significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the plasma glucose level. Protein level was significantly increased (p < 0.05) with aqueous extract while it was reduced with ethanolic extract. Cholesterol level was increased while ALT, AST and ALP activities were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in rats treated with aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The results obtained clearly indicate that these extracts alter biochemical parameters in animals and its effects are dose-dependent.  

Key words: Biochemical markers, Zygotritonia crocea, aqueous and ethanolic corm extracts, female rats.