Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the possible toxic effects of the water extract from Khaya grandifoliola stem bark in Wistar rats. The acute assay used 9 females distributed into 3 groups of 3 rats each. A control group received distilled water and the two test groups received by oral gavage a unique dose of the extract at 2000 mg/kg. In subacute assay, 60 rats both sexes were distributed into 6 groups of 10 rats each (5 males and 5 females) and received the extract by oral gavage for 28 days consecutively. The tests groups received extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The controls and satellite test groups received respectively distilled water and extract at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. Some anthropometrical, hematological and biochemical parameters were measured and histological sections of some organs were realized. LD50 was superior at 2000 mg/kg in acute assay. In subacute toxicity assay, Khaya grandifoliola stimulated the haematopoetic and immune function, showed a significant decrease of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and hypocholesterolaemic effects. Histopathology showed the presence of disturbances at the dose of 1000 mg/kg especially. K. grandifoliola stem bark could possess moderate toxicity at high doses and adequate caution should be exercised in its use in ethnomedicine.
Highlights
Plants which are commonly used in traditional medicine are frequently promoted as natural and, harmless
The results in this study showed that the acute administration of the aqueous extract of K. grandifoliola at the dose of 2000 mg/kg did not produce any sign of acute toxicity or instant death in rats tested during the period of observation
The results of the hematological parameters of the present study showed that, in the males rates, the administration of the aqueous extract of Khaya grandifoliola after 28 days induced a significant increase of: platelet counts at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg; Red blood cell count (RBC), HCT and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) at 250 mg/kg of extract; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) at the dose of 1000 mg/kg and granulocytes counts in all the animals to treat of extract at different dose
Summary
Plants which are commonly used in traditional medicine are frequently promoted as natural and, harmless. This assessment is based on their usage in the treatment of diseases over centuries [1, 2]. It should be emphasized that the traditional use of any plant for medicinal purposes, by no means, guarantees the safety of such plant. This raises concern about the potential toxic effects resulting from the short-term and long-term use of such medicinal plants. Evaluating the toxicological effects of any medicinal plant extract intended to be used in animals or humans is a crucial part of its assessment for potential toxic effects
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