Hyptis suaveolens (L) Poit is belonging to the genus Hyptis and family Lamiaceae that includes 775 species worldwide, which are primarily found in South America and across more than 50 countries in over seven continents. Plants of the Hyptis genus have been highlighted for numerous medicinal properties such as tumorigenic, antifertility, anti-microbial, mycotoxic and phytotoxic activities [1]. The leaves are either ovale or obovate, generally measuring 3-5 cm long and 2-4 cm wide with serrulate margins and a long stalk while its petiole are up to 3 cm long. The flowers are pollinated by numerous pollinators leading to enormous seed production [2,3]. H.suaveolens is commonly distributed in dense clumps along roadsides in over-grazed pastures and around stockyards throughout the tropics and subtropics.

Most parts of this plant are used in medicine formulation for treating numerous ailments such as respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, indigestion, colic, stomachache, colds, fever. Burns, wounds, cramps and various skin complaints and is used as an antirheumatic and antisuporific bath [4,5,6]. The plant is characterized by a strong minty smell when crushed. The plant has different names in various countries for example Bushmint in Brazil (7) Picnut in Nicaragua, (9) Chan in Mexico (10) Cimarron in Spanish. The leaves of this plant are source of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites having antispasmodic, anticolic, antirheumatic and antifertility properties [7]. The pharmacological significance of H.suaveolens is due to its sedative, diuretic, antispasmodic, aromatic, anti-cancer properties [8]. The essential oil contained in the leaves have potential antimicrobial and antifungal properties [9,10,11]. The root extract contains anti–retroviral compound called urosolic acid, a triterpenoid that may target retroviral integrates and proteases blocking the replication of retroviruses such as HIV [12,13]. The mature leaves of H.suaveolens contain alkanoids as the major secondary metabolite followed by tannins and saponins respectively [14]. H.suaveolens is more commonly used as a folkloric herbal medicine in developing countries [2].

Plant Material and Extraction: The plant materials Hyptis suaveolens was obtained through a staff of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko who is a farmer. The plant material was identified by the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest management of the Federal university of Technology Akure. The parts were selected and cleaned. They were sun-dried and pulverized to powder using blender. Extraction process was carried out using modified methods of [15].

Experimental Animals

Albino rats weighing 165-224 gm were obtained from Animal Production and Health (APH) of the department of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology of the Federal university of Technology, Akure. The animals were kept in 12 hours light and 12hours dark condition and provided animal feed and water at 25°C till end of the study. Animal feeds were purchased commercially for their feeding.

Blood Collection

Following the administration of ethanolic extracts of Hyptis suaveolens on the experimental animals for 14 days.They were starved overnight and sacrificed after anesthesia with chloroform. Blood samples were collected through Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) bottles for haematological analysis while lithium heparin bottles used for biochemical assay using Randox UK commercially reagent kit using the manual and Spectrophotometer for the absorbance. 

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis of inhibition were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software. The result of zone of inhibition were expressed as means and Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Analysis of variance was observed and the means were separated using Duncan new multiple range test a p<0.05.

The result of the study are illustrated in the Tables 1-4. From Table 1, the haemoglobin level and the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) drops when extract was introduced. This was expected because of the displacement of the immune system of the rats following introduction of the ethanolic extract which is foreign thereby initiating reduction in the delivering of oxygen to tissue cells resulting to weakness and tiredness. This observation correlates with [16]. This report was not in agreement with the report of [17] that increase in red blood cells resulted in increase in haemoglobin level. Although the red blood cell was reported to be the animal major means of transporting oxygen to the body tissues through blood circulation as reported by [18] that role was not actively performed because of the effect of the extracts on albino rats as compared with the control.

Table 1: Haematological Indices of Hyptis suaveolens in Albino Rats

Data are presented as Mean±S.E (n = 3). Values with the same superscript letter (s) along the same column are not significantly different (p<0.05), Key: MCHC = Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration, MCV = Mean Cell Volume, MCH = Mean cell haemoglobin

The White Blood Cells (WBC) increased non significantly (p>0.05) compared to the control animals (Table 2). 

Table 2: Effect of Hyptis suaveolens Extracts on Blood Parameters of Albino Rats

Data are presented as Mean±S.E (n = 3). Values with the same superscript letter(s) along the same colunm are not significantly different (p<0.05)

This indicated a trigger of the activity of WBC in the body system of the albino rats as form of defence to fight infection or ingest the foreign molecule, this attested to as reported by [19].

It has also been reported (Table 3) that an animal body mass may be used to monitor and assess the toxicity of any substance, which is a vital indicator in toxicity study [20]. 

Table 3: Body and Relative Liver Weight of Albino Rats Treated with Hyptis suaveolens Extracts

Data are presented as Mean±S.E (n = 3). Values with the same superscript letter(s) along the same colunm are not significantly different (p<0.05)

In serum activity of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in group 4 is an indication of possible preservation property of ethanolic extract of Hyptis suaveolens on the albino rats. The non–significant reduction (p>0.05) of the Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in group 4 of is a confirmation of possible non–toxic and hepatoprotection activity of the Hyptis suaveolens extracts. Cellular leakage of AST, ALP and ALT into the blood have been reported to occur due to malfunctioning of cell membrane of some organs [19] such as the liver. The concentration of serum total protein, albumin and globulin showed no significant alteration (p>0.05) in all the albino rats administered with ethanolic extracts of Hyptis suaveolens Total protein, albumin and globulin reduced non significantly in group 4 as compared to the control. These results showed that the extracts of the leaves of Hyptis suaveolens encourages processes associated with regulation of protein synthesis and stability. Various form of phytochemicals have been reported to be detected in ethanolic extracts of Hyptis suaveolens which poccess important industrial, physiological and antibiotic properties [21]. Protein stability is also an index for measuring liver function [22]. reported that liver damage and its synthetic function may be access using serum protein level. This agreed with the result of this study. The protein regulatory property of the extracts also supports the result of ALT, AST and ALP. This therefore showed that the hepatocytes are functioning properly since they are involved in protein synthesis [23] reported that the hepatocytes are mostly responsible for the synthesis of serum proteins that are distributed in the plasma.

Table 4: Mean Value of Serum Biochemical Parameters of Hyptis suaveolens Extracts Treatment in Albino Rats

Data are presented as Mean±S.E (n = 3). Values with the same superscript letter (s) along the same colunm are not significantly different (p<0.05)

The study revealed the effect of ethanolic extracts of Hyptis suaveolens on albino rats when administered orally was safe and well tolerated. It therefore mean no adverse effect of the extracts on the albino rat and it can further be processed, exploited for novel research purposes.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Authors’ Declaration 

The authors declare that the work presented in this manuscript is original and that any liability for claims relating to the manuscript will be borne by them.

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