Abstract
This study evaluated the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of ethanol leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas. Acute toxicity and phytochemical tests on ethanol leaf extract were determined. In sub-chronic toxicity test, animals were treated with 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract every day for 90 days. Blood samples were collected via retro-orbital puncture for baseline studies and at 31, 61 and 91st days for determination of hematological, kidney and liver function parameters. Liver and kidneys were harvested for histopathology analyses on 91st day. Also, a 28 day recovery study was carried out to determine reversibility in toxicological effects. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity test did not show toxicity or death at 5000 mg/kg. There was significant (p<0.005) reduction in white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, significant (p<0.05) increase in some liver and kidney biomarkers as well as alterations in liver and kidney histo-architecture on 91st days in animals that were treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg extract. However, toxicities observed on 91st day were reversible in recovery studies. The leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas may be hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic when used for long periods.
Highlights
Medicinal plants are the richest alternative bioresources to synthetic drugs (Obi et al, 2012)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Triglyceride, Total cholesterol, High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) reagent kits were procured from Randox Laboratories Limited, Country Atrium, United Kingdom while Sodium, Chloride, Potassium, Urea, Creatinine, Total protein, Albumin and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kits were procured from Teco diagnostics, California U.S.A
Serum recovered from blood samples collected into plain tube and centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes was diluted 5-fold with normal saline and used for the assay of biochemical parameters including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferases (ALT), aspartate transaminases (AST), total protein, albumin, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol using manufacturers’ (Randox and Teco) kits leaflets procedures with little modifications
Summary
Medicinal plants are the richest alternative bioresources to synthetic drugs (Obi et al, 2012). In African countries, a large proportion of the population depends solely on herbal medicines for their primary health care needs. This is because medicinal plants are accessible, acceptable and affordable among the populace when compared to synthetic drugs (Obi et al, 2012). Dryopteris filix-mas, Dryoperidaceae is a deciduous evergreen perennial herb growing up to 60 -150 cm tall, with rhizomes It is an effective ground cover plant that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It has a large light-green triangular frond (Sekendar et al, 2012). Ilodigwe main purpose of this study is to evaluate the sub-chronic toxicities of Dryopteris filix-mas leaf extract on some toxicological parameters
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