Abstract
Objective: The objective of the present research work had been done to evaluate the toxicity of crude extract of Carissa spinarum in Swiss albino mice.
 Methods: In studying the toxicity, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines were used. Experimental animals (mice), five mice in each, were grouped into four groups; three experimental groups and one negative control. In studying the acute toxicity, 2000, 3000 up to 5000 mg/kg crude plant extract was given orally using standard intragastric oral gavages. For acute toxicity, a single dose was given and gross behavioral changes were recorded. In sub-acute oral toxicity test, Carissa spinarum crude extract was given to the mice by standard intragastric oral gavages at doses of 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of hydro-methanolic extract and 200, 600 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight of chloroform extract in every single to 28 d and various hematological and physical parameters were recorded.
 Results: In acute toxicity, the given dose of the plant extract did not produce significant physical and behavior changes up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg extracts. In addition, no death was occurred in the given doses. In sub-acute toxicity studies of the hydro-methanolic and chloroform extracts, there was no recorded significant change (p>0.05) of hematological and physical parameters in the treated groups when compared to the control groups.
 Conclusion: from the present study it was revealed that the crude extract of the plant did not produce any significant toxicological effect in the experimental animals and this supports the use of the plant in folk medicines.
Highlights
Carissa spinarum Linn. (Formerly Carissa edulis) belongs to the family Apocynaceae [1, 2]
As a multipurpose medicinal tree, some communities across Africa refer to C. spinarum as the “magic herb” [2] as it is used to treat various diseases including headache, chest complaints [5], rheumatism [5,6,7], gonorrhea, syphilis, rabies, herpes, malaria [8], sickle-cell anemia, hernia, edema, toothache, cough, ulcer, worm infestation [9] and as a diuretic, for the treatment of typhoid fever, jaundice [10], sexual asthenias in males, measles, and as a cough expectorant [11]
A decoction from the leaves and bark of C. spinarum is used in many societies in Africa in the treatment and management of breast cancer, headache, chest pains, gonorrhea, lowering blood pressure, rheumatism, syphilis, rabies, immune booster, fever, edema, cough, ulcer, malaria [13], and to relieve toothache
Summary
Carissa spinarum Linn. (Formerly Carissa edulis) belongs to the family Apocynaceae [1, 2]. C. spinarum is known to possess an extensive range of phytochemicals in its leaves, roots, barks, as well as fruits that impart enormous medicinal value to the plant. These active constituents offer medicinal value to the plant. Pharmacological importance of the plant fruits has been evaluated by several researchers through in vitro and in vivo advances These activities of C. spinarum have been reported from the crude extract and their different fractions and isolates from fruit, leave, and root [4]. The present study was aimed to evaluate the oral acute and sub-acute effect of the C. spinarum in Swiss albino mice
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