Biosafety Evaluation of Methanol Extract of Stem Bark of Lonchocarpus griffonianus (Baill.) Dunn (Fabaceae) in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Abstract

Aim: Due to hazards associated with specific medicinal plant species, the biosafety evaluation of medicinal plants is crucial for guaranteeing both their safe use and regulatory compliance. Assessing the biosafety profile of the methanol extract of L. griffonianus stem bark (LGME) is imperative. This research seeks to preserve both the environment and public health by filling in the gaps in the biosafety reports regarding the plant's stem bark's safety for possible usage. 
 Methodology: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180 ± 1.63 g were given oral doses of LGME at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg daily for 28 days. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), pack cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), lymphocytes (Lym) and granulocytes (Gran) were measured. Biochemical parameters such as kidney function tests (urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate), and liver function tests (alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), conjugated bilirubin (CB), total protein (TP) and albumin (Alb) were examined. Kidney and liver histological investigations were performed to evaluate any indications of organ damage.
 Results: No significant (p˂0.05) alterations in the hematological markers in rats were
 observed. There were no discernible alterations in the liver and kidney function markers. Liver and kidney histological architecture revealed no severe injuries. 
 Conclusion: The current data indicate that the toxicity of the L. griffonianus methanol extract is low in Sprague-Dawley rats. These results offer crucial details regarding the toxicity and safety profile of L. griffonianus, a plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.