Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Musa sapientum, L commonly known as banana, has been traditionally used for both nutritional and medicinal purposes across various cultures. Different parts of the plant are believed to possess therapeutic properties. Aim: This study aims to assess the toxicological profile of Musa sapientum L. methanol leaf extract (MSMLE) in Wistar albino rats to evaluate its safety and potential medicinal benefits. It focuses on the phytochemical constituents, determination of the lethal dose 50 (LD50), and subchronic effects on liver and kidney biomarkers, as well as hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical constituents of MSMLE were determined using standard methods. The LD50 was determined following OECD guidelines by administering fixed doses to groups of rats. For the subchronic study, rats were divided into five groups: a control group receiving distilled water (2 mg/kg) and four groups receiving escalating doses of MSMLE (150, 300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg) orally for 28 days. Graph Pad Instat Version 3.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in MSMLE. The LD50 was found to be greater than 3000 mg/kg, indicating low acute toxicity. Significant decreases (P<0.05) in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were observed only in the group receiving the highest dose (1200 mg/kg) compared to the control. Kidney function biomarkers also showed significant decreases (P<0.05) in the high-dose group. Hematological parameters, including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and neutrophils, decreased significantly (P<0.05), while mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and lymphocytes showed a significant increase. Conclusion: The study concludes that MSMLE demonstrates low acute toxicity with an LD50 above 3000 mg/kg. However, subchronic administration at the highest dose (1200 mg/kg) resulted in significant changes in liver and kidney biomarkers, as well as hematological parameters, suggesting potential adverse effects at high doses. Further research is recommended to establish safe dosages and explore long-term effects before recommending extended use of MSMLE for therapeutic purposes Keywords: Musa sapientum Lin, Toxicity evaluation, Phytochemical analysis, traditional medicine, and Wistar albino rats
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