TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF Annogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) GILL AND PEER IN ALBINO WISTER RATS

Abstract

Toxicity of medicinal plants and dose quantification is one of the major challenges confronting its acceptance and usage. This research is aimed at evaluating the toxicological profile of methanol leaf extract of Annogeissus leiocarpus in Albino Wister Rats. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of the extract was carried out using the methods described by Lorke’s and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development respectively. Histopathology and microscopic examination of the liver and kidney was carried out using standard methods while enzyme assay of the serum was carried out using the standard ready-to-use kits. Acute toxicity of the extract gave an LD50 of 1789mg/kg bodyweight while the sub-chronic toxicity profile of the extract for 10 weeks shows mild effects on the haematological, biochemical and renal parameters of the animals with a significant correlation (p<0.01 and p<0.05) between the treated and the control group. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the serum enzymes of the control and treated group throughout the 10 weeks of treatment with the extract. Microscopic examination of the liver and kidney shows no alteration in the histoarchitecture of the organs. Toxicological evaluation of A. leiocarpus showed that the plant is safe however, prolonged use of this plant should be discouraged as its accumulation may become harmful particularly to the liver and the kidney. Further study is therefore required to validate the safety and usage of Annogeissus leiocarpus leaf.