Abstract
Background: Pulcria crispa (P. crispa) is an herbal plant traditionally used to treat common ailments.
Objective: In this study, we investigated P. crispa for its phytochemical constituents, antioxidant properties and effects on biochemical and hematological parameters as well as safety in albino rats.
Methods: Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of P. crispa was conducted using standard procedures. In vitro 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assay were used for the investigation of antioxidant activity of extract. Acute effects on physical and behavioral changes and mortality were monitored up to 72 h after administration of different doses of C. crispa Chronic effects on body to organ ratio, biochemical and hematological parameters were measured after administration of rats with different doses of P. crispa extract for 30 days.
Results: Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins were the most abundant constituents found in P. crispa extract, which displayed a significant antioxidant activity measured by reducing power and DPPH assays. No physical, behavioral changes and mortality were noted following the acute treatment of rats with the extract. Similarly, no significant change in body to organ weight ratio was observed after chronic treatment. Hematological parameters including RBCs, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC values were unaltered while W.B.C count was elevated in P.crispa administered rats compared to control.
P. crispa extract significantly reduced glucose, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, bilirubin, AST and ALT levels, whereas, triglycerides and total protein levels were increased in response to P.crispa treatment.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that P. crispa extract is rich in bioactive compounds and possesses significant antioxidant properties. Extract was also found to be safe and had no significant adverse effects on hematological parameters and exerted beneficial effects on biochemical parameters.