Vol. 6, Issue 6 (2017)

Author(s):
Emmanuel O Okwuofu, Ray I Ozolua, Oboma I Yibala and Abigail M Akhigbemen

Abstract:
Herbal medicine has been widely accepted as an alternative or complement to orthodox medicines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of methanol stem bark extract (ME) of S. guineense. Oral acute and 28-day toxicity tests were conducted in rats. The sub-acute evaluations included haematological, biochemical markers of toxicity and histology. The oral LD₅₀ value was greater than 5000 mg/kg. The 28-day toxicity tests revealed significantly increased (P<0.01) liver/body weight ratio at 1600 mg/kg/day. Haemoglobin concentration and platelet count were significantly (P<0.05) increased in the group treated with 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) increased at the dose of 1600 mg/kg/day. There were no significant changes in the heart, lungs, brain and kidney/body weight ratios and other haematological parameters but there were distortions in hepatic and renal histology at doses of 1600 mg/kg. Acute doses up to 5000 mg/kg of ME appear safe but prolong use of high doses could lead to hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.