Sub-chronic toxicity study of the methanol root extract of Cnestis ferruginea

Abstract

Context: Cnestis ferruginea (CF) Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is a shrub abundant in West Africa. Root preparations are used in traditional medicine to treat diverse conditions.Objective: To evaluate the sub-chronic toxicological effects of the methanol root extract of CF.Materials and methods: Groups of adult rats of both sexes were treated daily with distilled water (DW) and CF at doses of 80 (sub-therapeutic dose), 400 (therapeutic dose), and 1000 (supra-therapeutic dose) mg/kg orally for 90 days. Animals were weighed weekly and observed for behavioral and morphological changes. At the end, rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Vital organs were harvested, weighed, and assessed for in vivo antioxidants and histopathological changes. Sperm analysis and reversibility study were done, and mortality was recorded.Results: CF at the therapeutic dose did not produce any significant irreversible deleterious effects on the weight of animals and vital organs, in vivo antioxidants, histopathological presentation, hematological, biochemical, and sperm parameters. Platelet anomaly was elicited as a delayed effect. Effects at the sub- and supra-therapeutic doses were similar but with delayed anemia in females and weight reduction and sterility in males as possible side effects. CF generally showed a potential to induce in vivo antioxidants.Discussion and conclusion: Findings suggest that CF given over an extended period possess the potential to cause induction of in vivo antioxidants especially in the ovary. Possible side effects identified with CF, which necessitate caution, include delayed platelet anomaly and anemia in females, weight reduction, and sterility in males.