Ogbu Ambrose E., Egbuonu Anthony C.C. and Ezeanyika Lawrence U.S
The study investigated the time and dose dependent effects of esculetin (6, 7-dihydroxy-coumarin) on some routine parameters of biochemical function in male Wistar rats. Five groups of rats (n = 6) were per orally administered with 6.0, 12.0 and 24.0 mg/kg body weight of esculetin; 0.2 ml of the vehicle control (10 % dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)), and 0.2 ml of the normal control (distilled water (DW)), respectively every 24 hours for 28 days. On comparison with the controls, exposure to esculetin caused a dose dependent decrease in food intake (day 7), in body weight (days 7, 14, and 28), and in water intake (days 7, 14 and 21). However, the exposure caused a time dependent increase in water intake (when compared with the normal control), and in body weight (as against that of the rats at baseline or day 1) whereas rats exposed to 12 mg/kg of esculetin had a time dependent decrease (p<0.05) in food intake on days 7 and 14. Overall, esculetin caused a dose dependent, but time independent, decrease in body weight, food and water intakes of male rats. Thus, caution should be exercised in the use of esculetin over time in male rats.
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