Study of the Subacute Toxicity of Dry Bark of Albizia ferruginea (Mimosaceae) (Guill. &Perr.) Berth. in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

This present work aimed to assess the subacute toxicity of the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of Albizia ferruginea in rats. Subacute toxicity was done in accordance with 2008 OECD Guideline 407, for oral toxicity at a daily dose for 28 days in rodents. The animals were divided into six groups of 10 rats each (5 males and 5 females). One control group received 10 mL/kg of distilled water, three groups received 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of extract respectively, one satellite control group and one satellite treated group received 10 mL/kg of distilled water and 800 mg/kg extract respectively. After 28 days of treatment, the satellite groups were left under observation without treatment for an additional 14 days. Behavior, body weight and death rate were monitored during the experimental period. The relative weight of some organs, hematological and biochemical parameters and the histopathological study of the liver, kidneys and lungs were evaluated at the end of the experiment. There were no significant effects on body weight gain and the relative weight of organs investigated. At the 800 mg/kg dose, there was a significant increase in the level of monocytes by 26.53%; the mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCHT) of 18.18%; and in the corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of 20.70 %, only in male rats. ALT and ASAT activity were increased significantly in both male and female rats. These increases were not seen in satellite treated rats. The histology of the organs investigated showed no difference when comparing the treated rats to the control rats. The subacute toxicity study of total aqueous extract of the dry bark of Albizia ferruginea did not show any signs of significant toxicity for parameters studied in rats.