Toxicological evaluation of Vernonia amygdalina methanol leave extract in rats

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina or commonly known as “bitter leaf” in Malaysia has been widely used for the treatment of malaria and diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to examine the possible toxic effect of methanol leaves extract of V. amygdalina after 28 days oral administration in female Sprague Dawley rats. This 28 days toxicity study of V. amygdalina was conducted according to OECD 407 guidelines. Sub-chronic effects of methanol leaf extract of V. amygdalina on liver and kidney functions in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were examined by measuring the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubins, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in both control and treatment groups. Based on the results obtained, 28 days administration of V. amygdalina (300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg bw) did not cause any significantly changes in serum biochemical parameters, body weight changed and relative organ weight when compared to the control group. In conclusion, sub-chronic (28 days) oral administration of methanol leaves extract of V. amygdalina at a dose up to 1200 mg/kg exhibited no adverse effects on liver and kidney functions in female SD rats.