Toxic effects of some plants in the genus Euphorbia on haematological and biochemical parameters of rats

The toxic effects of 5 suspected poisonous plants of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbia balsamifera Aiton, E. heterophylla L., E. hirta L., E. hyssopifolia L., and E. lateriflora Schum and Thonn), which are commonly found in the Nigerian pasture, were evaluated in albino rats using crude aqueous extracts for 14 days. Changes in haematological as well as biochemical parameters were used as indices of toxicosis. Clinical signs were also noted. The extracts of all the plants caused dullness, anorexia, stairy haircoat, and 20% mortality rate in E. hirta and E. hyssopifolia. Animals that received the extracts of E. balsamifera, E. hyssopifolia, E. heterophylla, and E. lateriflora appeared to show an excitatory effect. However, it was noted that the animals became dull afterwards. E. hirta produced the highest mortality rate. The crude extracts that were administered orally produced anaemia in the animals. While E. heterophylla, E. hyssopifolia and E. lateriflora caused leucopaenia, E. hirta and E. balsamifera caused leucocytosis. Three of the plants caused a significantly increased (P<0.05) level of total protein; the remaining 2 (E. balsamifera and E. heterophylla) caused an insignificant increase. While all the plants caused a significant increase in the level of albumin, the reverse was the case for globulin. All the plants also caused significant increase in levels of ALT and AST.