Toxicity Study of Potash Extract, “jar Kanwa”: An Earthy Material Consumed for Remedy of various Ailments in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Potash comprises potassium bearing minerals. These minerals are traditionally used for treatments of many ailments in Northern Nigeria with little knowledge of their safety profile. Acute toxicity (LD50) study of the potash extract was carried out on adults Wistar rats. Based on the result of LD50; four groups of Wistar rats; Group I, II, III and IV, each containing six males were formed. Group I was administered distilled water while group II was administered 20% (1,000 mg/kg) of the highest non-lethal dose. Group III and IV were administered 10% (500 mg/kg) and 5% (250 mg/kg) of the highest non-lethal dose respectively. These were done continuously for 28 days. Intakes of food and water were recorded daily while weights of animals were recorded weekly. There was no mortality at both phase 1& 2 of the LD50. Results of chronic toxicity revealed two mortalities recorded in group II. Acute toxicity studies of potash extract showed that it is generally safe but in sub-chronic toxicity study, the extract was lethal on the experimental animals at higher doses. Therefore, consumption of this earthy material on a long term basis should be discouraged due to its lethal effects on animal studies