A safety profile of aqueous methanol aerial extract of Alysicarpus glumaceus in mice: acute and subacute administration

Abstract

Alysicarpus glumaceus (Vahl D.C), family-leguminosae is used traditionally for a number of ailments in Nigeria, as well as in other African countries, Asia and middle east. The leaf is taken orally for thrush, sores and asthma. While root decoction is taken for coughs and its combination with leaf sap is taken for diarrhea and as an abortifacient. The aerial parts are used for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders mainly depression and currently been used by drivers in combination with tea to keep alert on long drive in northern Nigeria. The aim of this work was to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) and the effect of aqueous methanol extract (AME) of Alysicarpus glumaceus on the body weight, behavioural changes, heamatological, histopathological parameters and rate of mortality after an acute and sub-acute toxicity study of 28 days using three graded doses (500, 1000 & 1500 mg/kg) in mice via the oral route. From the results obtained LD50 was greater than 5000 mg/kg, it had no significant effect on their body weights as well as on their physical behaviour. Slight lesions were observed in kidney and liver of animals given 1500 mg/kg of AME. There was no statistical difference (p< 0.05) between the control and the treated groups for packed cell volume and platelet count. These findings suggest that the AME of Alysicarpus glumaceus is not likely to produce toxic effects and suggest that the extract is relatively safe in mice.