The effects of long-term administration of boiled aqueous extract of
Syzigium aromaticum
(SYZ),
commonly known as clove (which has been locally employed for treating gastrointestinal tract diseases and also
used as food spices), on some biochemical indices, such as body weight, liver functions and blood parameters
were studied in adult albino rats of both sexes. Selected doses of 300 and 700 mg kg
-1 were given orally through
cannular to groups of animals for a period of 90 days, while the control group received distilled water throughout
the duration of study via the same route. Blood samples collected after therapy and assayed for activities of some
liver enzymes recorded a significant (p<0.05) and prominent effect on ALP and AST. Measurement of
haematological parameters also revealed significant effects (p<0.05; p<0.001) on Hb, RBC (p<0.05), PCV
(p<0.001), platelets (p<0.001) and granulocytes (p<0.001). An insignificant reduction was recorded for total
WBC. The histopathological study conducted was in consonance with the results of the biochemical
investigations that the aqueous extract of SYZ even at moderate doses, significantly affects body organs, their
enzymes as well as the various functions. LD
50 for both intraperitoneal and oral routes of SYZ were 263 and
2500 mg kg
-1 respectively. The present work has revealed the toxicity of sub chronic administration of SYZ,
which suggests that its prolonged usage must be avoided.
