Dryopteris filix-mas (L.), is an important member of the family Dryopteridaceae and used for different purposes such as in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, malaria, inflammation, worm infestation, uterine bleeding, internal hemorrhage, fever, carbuncles, mumps and sores in traditional medicine. Keeping in views its medicinal benefits along with toxic effects, the extract of Dryopteris filix-mass (L) was administered in present study in rabbits to evaluate its effects on different biomarkers. Animals were randomly selected to assign in any of three groups (10 animals per group) as G1 (control maintained on normal saline 0.5ml), G2 (low dose of 1mg) and G3 (high dose of 5mg). Animals received drugs orally for 90 days and after that blood was collected according to the protocol. The results indicates that  Dryopteris filix-mass increased RBC (10.7±1.2), MCH (20.1), WBC (10×10⁹±0.37) and Platelet count (426×10) and decreased creatinine (0.79) with significant difference (p ≤0.05) at high dose of 5mg/kg but negligible or no effect on Hematocrit, MCV, MCHC, HBAIC, PT, INT, APTT, Random blood glucose levels and urea. As compare to this, lower dose of 1mg/kg produced slight or no change on these biochemical parameters. Increased in cholesterol  HDL ratio, cholesterol  , triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL was observed from 3.18±0.08, 19±2.7, 110±3.7, 6±0.07, 12±0.07 and 22±1.5 to 12.5±1.1, 88±9, 404±13, 7±0.6, 28±0.6 and 80±14, respectively at high dose. Dryopteris filix-mass is helpful to improve red blood cells and Platelet production and in hyperthyroidism but it should be used with cautions in patients with cardiac arrest, high lipid profile and compromised hepatic and renal function at high doses.

Key words; Dryopteris filix-mass, biochemical parameters, medicinal use, lipid profile