Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of Combretum hypopilinum stem bark extracted with Methanol (70%v/v). Preliminary Phytochemical screening of the crude methanol stem bark extract was carried out, and revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as steroids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Initial oral acute toxicity test was carried out using the Limit Dose Test to ascertain the safety of the extract in rats. Sub-acute toxicity testing was conducted by 28 days oral administration of 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg body weight to three groups of ten rats. The fourth group was administered distilled water 10 ml/kg. No major changes were observed in body weight of the animals following 28 days of daily oral administration. Biochemical parameters such as Total Protein, Total Bilirubin, Creatinine, Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT), were found to be within normal ranges. The levels of marker enzymes in the vital organs did not show any significant changes between control and treated groups. Histopathological examination of the major vital organs (liver, brain, and kidney) revealed no significant pathological changes in the treated groups of rats. The results of the present work suggested that the methanol stem bark extract of Combretum hypopilinum is relatively safe for use at the tested doses.
Highlights
The traditional use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases is as old as the existence of man
Acute toxicity studies The median lethal dose (LD50) in rats was found to be >2000mg/kg body weight. Both female and male rats fed with the extract at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg did not show any signs of toxicity in the entire period of observation
Effect of the methanol extract of Combretum hypopilinum on Body Weight changes following 28 Days Sub chronic Oral Treatment in Wister Rats There was a general increase in body weight of the treated animals
Summary
The traditional use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases is as old as the existence of man. This practice was the major means of disease management practiced by more than 80% of people in Africa (Ekor, 2014; Merriam 2013). There exist more than 250,000 species of plants and many of these have been reported to have therapeutic values. Such plants are used for treatment of different ailments that afflict the society (Saleh et al, 2015). In Africa, the dried leaves and root bark of the plant are used as purgatives and diuretics (Eloff, 1999). Roots and leaves infusions are used as a blood tonic (Kokou et al, 2018)
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