Toxicity Of Aqueous Leaf Extract Research Articles

Evaluation of Subchronic toxicity and phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract of Ocimum suave (Lamiciae)

Evaluation of phytochemical content, acute and sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum suave in Wistar rats was carried out. Experimental rats were administered extracts daily for 31days at dose levels of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. Acute toxicity and phytochemical screening of aqueous leaf extract were done according to method of Lorke’s Trease and Evans. Biochemical analysis was equally done at the end of the administration of extracts using standard methods. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed and blood samples taken for biochemical assay. The LD50 was found to be greater than 10,000 mg/kg body weight. Results showed the presence of most phytochemicals tested for. The aqueous extract caused a decrease in ALT activity but AST and CK activities were higher in the treated groups in a dose dependent manner relative to the control. The aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum suave affected mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. The aqueous leaf extract caused mean body weight gain, but decrease in relative organ weight. The study suggests that the aqueous extract administered at normal therapeutic doses is not likely to produce severe toxic effects on some hematological and biochemical indices in rats and the organs tested. Chronictoxicity of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum suave should be done for histological, haematological andbiochemical evaluation. Key Words: Ocimum suave, Toxicity, Wistar Rats, Biochemical assay, Phytochemical, Extract

Phytochemical Evaluation and Acute Oral Toxicity of Aqueous leaf Extract of Ficus abutilifolia (Miq) in Mice

Several species of the genus Ficus have been reported to exhibit antimicrobial and pharmacological effects. Extracts from the leaves of Ficus abutilifolia are used traditionally to treat various infectious diseases by indigenous communities of Nigeria with little or no data on the acute oral toxicity. Hence, the aim of this study was to conduct qualitative phytochemical screening and evaluate the acute oral toxicity of Ficus abutilifolia (Miq) aqueous leaves extract in mice. Fresh leaves of Ficus abutilifolia were collected from the field at Anguwan Daudu Tsauni, Giwa LGA., Kaduna State. The plant was authenticated and the leaves air dried and milled into powder. The powdered sample was macerated with water and allowed to stand for 24 hours. The qualitative phytochemical evaluation and LD50 was carried out, also, haematology and serum biochemistry parameters were conducted using standard techniques. Results of phytochemical constituents showed the presence of flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, saponins, and terpenoids. The LD50 was found to be > 2000 mg/kg with no obvious signs of toxicity and death over the 14 days period. Significant (p < 0.05) elevation was observed in the TWBC of the mice administered Ficus abutilifolia (Miq). There was no significant (p > 0.05) increase in the AST, ALP, BUN and creatinine levels when compared to the normal control. In conclusion, LD50 of Ficus abutilifolia (Miq) was shown to be greater than 2000mg/kg with no observed toxicity sign; hence, the plant possesses a wide margin of safety.

Sub-Acute Toxicity Profile of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Pavetta crassipes (K. Schum) in Rats

Pavetta crassipes is a plant with many ethnomedicinal uses but has limited published data on its safety. The aim of the study was to evaluate the subacute oral toxicity of aqueous leaf extract of P. crassipes in Wister rats. Thirty-six Wister male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of six rats each. They were treated with; 1 mL/kg distilled water (negative control group), aqueous leaf extract of P. crassipes (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg test groups respectively), 10 mg/kg furosemide (positive control group 1), and 10 mg/kg lisinopril (positive control group 2) daily for 28 days. Weekly animal weight, food consumption, water intake, fecal/urine outputs, organ tobody weight ratio, hematological, biochemical and histological assessment of organs were used to evaluating toxicity. There was no significant difference between all the groups in body weight, food/water intake, fecal output, plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and biochemical markers of liver and kidney function (p›0.05). However, P. crassipes leaf extract significantly increases the urine excretion, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and endogenous antioxidant (p‹0.05) with a decrease in total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (p‹0.05) in rats. Aqueous leaves extract of P. crassipes is relatively safe because the biochemical parameters and organs assayed were within the values for distilled water treated rats.&nbsp

Hematinic, anti-plasmodial potential and toxicity of aqueous leaf extract of Justicia secundain albino mice

Purpose: To investigate the hematinic, anti-plasmodial potentials, and toxic effects of an aqueous extract of the leaf of Justicia secunda in mice (Mus musculus) made anemic by Plasmodium beighei. 
 Methods: The LD50 of J. secunda was determined using Lorke’s method. Male albino mice ages 4 – 5 months, totaling forty-eight (48), were assigned at random to six groups (1 – 6). Groups 1, 2, and 3 mice were P. berghei-infected and were given extract doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Group 4 (positive control) was infected and treated with 0.3 mL of vitamin B12 (standard). Group 5 (negative control) was infected and untreated, while group 6 (normal control) was uninfected and untreated. Blood samples were taken on days 7, 12, and 16 post-infections to measure haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea using standard methods. 
 Results: Lower concentrations (200 and 400 mg) of the extract reduced P. berghei parasitemia. In comparison to vitamin B12, there was a negligible drop in Hb, PCV, and RBC levels in the infected groups. Both J. secunda extract and vitamin B12 did not improve the hematinic status of the mice infected with P. berghei. The hematinic condition of the mice with P. berghei infection was not improved by J. secunda extract or vitamin B12. Biochemical analysis showed no toxicity due to extract intake. 
 Conclusion: Justicia secunda leaf extract has anti-plasmodial efficacy in P. berghei-infected mice. Studies are required to validate these findings in humans.

Varietal response and toxicity of aqueous leaf extracts of Azadirachta Indica to Phytophtora Colocasiae causing Taro leaf blight in Unwana Southeast, Nigeria

Varietal response and toxicity of aqueous leaf extracts of Azadirachta Indica to Phytophtora Colocasiae causing Taro leaf blight in Unwana Southeast, Nigeria

Sub-acute Toxicity of Aqueous Extracts of Tephrosia vogelii, Vernonia amygdalina and Senna occidentalis in Rats

There is an intense search for new plant-derived medicines to match the ever increasing prevalence of drug resistance. Toxicity profiles of three commonly used plants against helminthosis in Uganda will support their optimum use. Objective: To evaluate the sub-acute toxicity of aqueous leaf extracts of Tephrosia vogelii (TV), Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Senna occidentalis (SO). Methods: One hundred Wistar white albino rats in 10 groups were dosed orally daily with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of TV, VA and SO for 28 days or Goodwin’s physiological solution. Daily changes in behaviour, feed/water intake and weight (weekly) were monitored. On day 29, blood for haematology, serum for biochemical analysis and organs (lungs, liver, kidney, heart and small intestines) for histopathology were collected. Results: Continued exposure of rats to 600 mg/kg doses of SO and VA extracts led to elevation of ALT, AST and ALP and cholesterol in the treatment groups. SO and VA at 600 mg/kg elevated urea and uric acid; depressed bilirubin while VA and TV 600 mg/kg caused the reverse. Histopathology findings (villi sloughing, pneumonitis, liver and kidney degeneration) further supported these results. Conclusion: The very low toxicity of the aqueous leaf extracts of TV, VA and SO at high doses makes them safe at currently non-standardised doses used for animal treatment.

Biochemical and histopathological effects on liver due to acute oral toxicity of aqueous leaf extract of Ecliptaalba on female Swiss albino mice

Background:Limited data is available about the toxicity of herbal remedies used for self-medication. Since a popular medicinal plant Ecliptaalba contains various bioactive molecules, the present study aimed to observe the biochemical and histological changes in liver associated with acute oral toxicity (LD50) of aqueous extract of E. alba (L.) Hassk. in female Swiss albino mice.Materials and Methods:For the acute oral toxicity study, the animals were divided into six groups of 6 mice each. Group– I was normal control and the treatment groups were administered aqueous leaf extract of E. alba orally at different doses of 500 mg (group – I),1750 mg (group–III), 2000 mg (group- IV), 2500 mg (group- V) and 3000 mg/ kg/b.wt.(group- VI) for seven consecutive days. The mice were sacrificed on the eighth day and blood was collected for the analysis of ALP (alkaline phosphatase), SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transferase), total protein and albumin. The liver was dissected, weighed, and processed for histopathological analysis.Results:The LD50 was found to be 2316.626 mg/kg /body weight in female mice. Serum SGPT, total protein and albumin increased in treated group- IV (P < 0.05), V (P < 0.01), and VI (P < 0.01) as compared to the control (group- I). ALP level significantly decreased in the treated group- IV (P < 0.05), V (P < 0.01) and VI (P < 0.01). Histopathological changes were observed at dose of 2000 mg (group- IV), 2500 mg (group- V) and 3000 mg (group- VI).Conclusion:It was concluded that oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of E. alba had detrimental effects on biochemical parameters and induced histopathological alterations in liver of female Swiss albino mice at doses higher than 2000 mg/kg/day indicating that its indiscriminate use should be avoided.

Gastroprotective effect of Senecio candicans DC on experimental ulcer models

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSenecio candicans DC (Asteraceae) is used as a remedy for gastric ulcer and stomach pain in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu for which no scientific evidence exists. Aim of the studyThe present study was performed to evaluate the gastroprotective effects and acute oral toxicity of aqueous leaf extract of Senecio candicans (AESC) in experimental models. Materials and methodsThe antiulcerogenic activity of AESC was performed in two different ulcer models viz., pylorus-ligated model and ethanol-induced model using Wistar albino rats. Acute toxicity study was also performed to get information on the admissible dose for treatment of ulcer. Preliminary phytochemical screening of AESC was performed to find the active principles present, which are thus responsible for the antiulcerogenic activity. DPPH assay was performed to confirm the antioxidant activity of AESC. ResultsThe acute toxicity study did not show any mortality up to 2500mg/kg b.w. of AESC. Both the ulcer models showed gastroprotective effect comparable to that of the standard Omeprazole. The results of antioxidant enzymes, histopathology sections, ATPase and mucus content of gastric secretion showed that several mechanisms are involved in the gastroprotective effect. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids in AESC. The DPPH assay confirmed the antioxidant activity of AESC. ConclusionThe traditional consumption of AESC for the treatment of gastric ulcer is thus true, the antioxidant constituents present in the extract plays a major role in the gastroprotective activity, but since Senecio species are known for the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a detailed study in future is required to describe the safe dose for a prolonged period.