Abstract
BackgroundThe plant Culcasia angolensis (Araceae) has diverse ethnomedicinal uses, including the management of rheumatic pain, healing of cuts, dislocations, and bruises. Despite its potential therapeutic uses, the toxicity profile of Culcasia angolensis has not been evaluated. This study assessed the sub-acute toxicity effects of Culcasia angolensis leaves extract (CAE). The phytochemical determination of the CAE was conducted as per the standard protocols. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 423 guideline. Besides, the sub-acute toxic effects of the CAE (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) were investigated following administration of the CAE daily for 28 consecutive days as per the OECD 407 guideline. The weekly body weights were recorded. The animals were euthanized on the 29th day, and blood samples were obtained for haematological and biochemical investigations. The heart, kidney, liver, and lungs were collected for histological examinations. Besides, the relative organ weights (ROW) were determined.ResultsThe CAE contains cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, and terpenoids. The oral LD50 was above 5 g/kg. There was a remarkable decline in the weekly body weight at all the CAE doses. The CAE increased the lymphocytes, aspartate transaminase, and urea. However, the levels of alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were elevated remarkably. The histological studies did not reveal any serious organs abnormalities.ConclusionThe CAE is relatively safe on acute administration. However, it may be slightly toxic on sub-acute administration, especially to the liver and kidney.
Highlights
The plant Culcasia angolensis (Araceae) has diverse ethnomedicinal uses, including the management of rheumatic pain, healing of cuts, dislocations, and bruises
The values were tabulated as mean ± SEM; *p ≤ 0.05 compared to control group, n = 6 DW distilled water, CAE Culcasia angolensis leaves extract
The findings have shown that the CAE could cause malnutrition, mineral, and vitamin (C and B12) deficiency as a result of the reduced alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), respectively
Summary
The plant Culcasia angolensis (Araceae) has diverse ethnomedicinal uses, including the management of rheumatic pain, healing of cuts, dislocations, and bruises. This study assessed the sub-acute toxicity effects of Culcasia angolensis leaves extract (CAE). The sub-acute toxic effects of the CAE (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) were investigated following administration of the CAE daily for 28 consecutive days as per the OECD 407 guideline. It is essential to document scientific information on the toxic concerns of herbal preparations, including the plant Culcasia angolensis to increase confidence in therapeutic use and to discover effective medicinal products (Ahmad et al 2021a, b; Ukwuani et al 2012). This research was intended to check the safety profile of Culcasia angolensis leaves extract (CAE) after the acute and sub-acute administration via oral route to stimulate more research and discover novel, effective, and safe medicinal compounds
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