Abstract

The benefits of medicinal plants may not be without some biochemical impediments. Anti-plasmodial activity of Hippocratea africana has been studied; its effects on some biochemical parameters were examined in rats in this study. It was observed that in the female test groups, there was no significant (p > 0.05) changes in urea concentration but there was significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose concentration. There was also a slight increase in total protein and albumin concentrations which was not significant (p > 0.05). The male treatment groups however recorded significant (p < 0.05) increases in glucose, total protein, urea and albumin except for serum bilirubin which showed slight but non-significant (p > 0.05) decrease. The result generally does not suggest any biochemical imbalance and therefore the herb may be safe for use for its anti-plasmodial property.

Key words: Hippocratea africana, biochemical imbalance, glucose, total protein, urea, albumin, bilirubin, anti-plasmodial property, health benefit.