Abstract
In the present study, the toxicity of monkey kola (Cola millenii) leaf and stem bark extracts were investigated in laboratory animals. The rats were orally administered with the plant extracts at gradual doses of 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg, 2,500 mg/kg, 3,500 mg/kg and 5,000 mg/kg b.w. and were closely monitored for 24 h. In sub-acute toxicity, the animals were given 1,000 mg/kg b.w. and 2,500 mg/kg b.w. for 28 days. Thereafter, the effect of the extracts on the weight and haematological parameters of the rats were determined. The rats did not show any symptoms of toxicity throughout the experiment. In the sub-acute toxicity assay, starting from week two, the groups administered with 1,000 mg/kg and 2,500 mg/kg stem bark extract had significant (p ≤ 0.05) lower weight compared with the other groups. In the haematological assay, there were no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) between the RBC and platelet counts as well as PCV, haemoglobin, urea, cholesterol, creatinine, LDL, HDL and AST level of all the groups given the extract in comparison with the control. Albeit, the level of white blood cells count, was higher in the treated groups compared with the control with concomitant significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in the ALT and ALP levels of the animals treated with the extracts compared with the control. Results show that Cola millenii leaf and stem bark extracts are safe for oral use, although, at higher doses, stem bark extract may cause liver damage.
Highlights
Traditional medicine can be defined as the set of practices, knowledge and beliefs that employ plants, animals and their components to treat, diagnose and prevent illness or maintain well-being (WHO, 2012)
In Nigeria, for instance, traditional medicine is usually preferred as the first choice of treatment for at least six out of ten children suffering from malaria, while about 85% of Nigerians use and consult traditional medicine for health care, social and psychological benefits (Amupitan, 2013)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has enjoined the third world countries to use the resources of traditional medicine for meeting the basic primary healthcare needs of their populace
Summary
Traditional medicine can be defined as the set of practices, knowledge and beliefs that employ plants, animals and their components to treat, diagnose and prevent illness or maintain well-being (WHO, 2012). The World Health Organization (WHO) has enjoined the third world countries to use the resources of traditional medicine for meeting the basic primary healthcare needs of their populace. This has been due to the many advantages of the traditional medicine such as cheap costs, affordability, acceptability and general low toxic nature. C. milleni is a tree that grows up to 12 m high and occasionally to 20 m with a low crown of arching branches, deciduous, of closed and transition forest, tending toward the drier parts, in Ivory Coast to Southern Nigeria. It is the authors’ view that the exploration of such aspects of this medically useful plant could either promote its wider use or call for caution on its use
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