Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Jan; 40(1): 45-8.

Effect of Ruta graveolens L. and Euphorbia peplus L. anti-inflammatory extracts on nutritional status of rats and the safety of their use.

Al-Okbi SY, El-Sayed EM, Ammar NM, El-Sayed NK, Abou-El Kassem LT.

Food Sciences and Nutrition Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

A significant increase in body weight with remarkable increase in total food intake and significant increase in protein efficiency ratio were observed following oral administration of R. graveolens ether extract (500 mg/kg body wt) to growing rats for 3 weeks. Serum albumin was significantly decreased after administration of declofenac (15 mg/kg body wt). Albumin/globulin ratio decreased significantly on administration of E. peplus ether extract (500 mg/kg body wt). No significant changes were observed in other biochemical and nutritional parameters on administration of either of the extracts or declofenac. However, only a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase was noticed during treatment with R. graveolens. The results suggest that both plant extracts have no harmful effect on nutritional status and are safe towards kidney functions, while Euphorbia is more safe than Ruta in relation to liver functions.