Sub‑acute toxicity of a hydro‑ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn in rats

Abstract

Objectives: Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn (family Asteraceae) is traditionally used in Ghana for the management of epilepsy, hiccup and threatened abortion. The anticonvulsant and other related neuro‑pharmacological effects of a hydro‑ethanolic extract in murine models have been established. To this end, we evaluated a sub‑acute toxicity of the hydro‑ethanolic whole plant extract in rats. Materials and Methods: The effects of a continuous 14‑day oral administration of the extract (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg) on haematological and serum biochemical parameters were measured. Results: The extract produced no mortality in the rats treated during the study period. The extract also did not significantly affect any of the haematological and serum biochemical indices measured. Conclusion: This result suggests that a 14‑day oral administration of the hydro‑ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora is relatively safe in Sprague‑Dawley male rats under the present laboratory conditions. Key words: Male rats, sub‑acute toxicity, Synedrella nodiflora