Acute and sub-acute toxicity of the methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron stem bark.

Pteleopsis hylodendron is one of the most popular medicinal plants in Cameroon where it is used to treat measles, chickenpox, sexually transmitted diseases, female sterility, liver and kidney disorders as well as dropsy. To date there is no documented evidence corroborating its safety. This study thus aimed to determine the toxicity profile of the methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron. The acute and sub-chronic toxicity of the methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron were investigated by employing established methods. The acute toxicity study was done by administering single doses (2-8 g/kg body weight) of plant extract to adult mice. For the sub chronic toxicity study, doses (85-680 mg/kg bw) of plant extract were administered daily to adult rats during 28 days after which the effect on organs, the hematological and biochemical parameters was assessed. In mice, single oral administrations of the methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron caused dose-dependent general behaviour adverse effects and mortality. The LD50 values were 3.00 and 3.60 g/kg bw for males and females respectively. In rats, daily single oral doses of the methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron provoked significant (p < 0.05) growth retardation in rats at all tested doses after 28 days of dosing. Haematological parameters showed a significant decrease in white blood cells count and significant increases red blood cells count; irrespective of the sex, all biochemical parameters studied, except triglycerides significantly (p < 0.001) increased with dose. However, a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.007) increase in HDL was observed only in male rats. Increases in liver enzymes (ALT and AST), proteins and creatinine levels correlate the observed histopathological damages (i.e. inflammation and vascular congestions) in the liver and kidneys. The overall results of this study indicate that the methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron stem bark possesses hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects at doses ≥ 85 mg/kg bw, suggesting that this plant should be used with caution.

Nana HM ，Ngane RA ，Kuiate JR ，Mogtomo LM ，Tamokou JD ，Ndifor F ，Mouokeu RS ，Etame RM ，Biyiti L ，Zollo PH ... -  《-》

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Herniaria glabra in rodents.

Rhiouani H ，El-Hilaly J ，Israili ZH ，Lyoussi B ... -  《JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY》

Toxicological evaluation of the hydroethanol extract of Tabernaemontana crassa (Apocynaceae) stem bark.

Tabernaemontana crassa Benth. is a medicinal plant widely used in Cameroon folk medicine to treat a variety of affections. This study was aimed at evaluating its toxicological profile. The 70% (v/v) hydroethanol (HE) extract from the stem bark of this plant was given to albino Wistar rats by oral gavage to study the acute and sub-acute toxicities. The results of histopathological studies revealed that there was a dose-related effect in liver, lungs and kidneys and that there was no difference in tissue profile of control group and those receiving 6 weeks daily treatment of 0.5 g/kg b.w. The result of the acute toxicity indicated the medium lethal dose (LD50) of 6.75 g/kg body weight (b.w.) after 48 h of treatment and the significant variation (P<0.05) of the relative body weight, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil) and creatinine (SCr) at the dose of 6g/kg b.w. These results also indicated significant variation of the liver alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, total proteins (TP), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and renal creatinine (RCr) and urea (RU) at 6g/kg b.w. The result of the sub-acute toxicity showed significant changes in the body weight but no modification (P>0.05) of blood and liver indices for the animal taking 6 weeks daily doses of the HE compared to the control group. The results showed that this extract was fairly non-toxic but that consumption of higher doses up to 6 g/kg b.w. could cause organ injuries. Moderated consumption of small doses up to 0.5 g/kg b.w. daily for 6 weeks appeared to be safe.

Kuete V ，Manfouo RN ，Beng VP 《-》

Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity profiles of the aqueous extract of Polygala fruticosa in female mice and rats.

Polygala fruticosa (P.J. Bergius) is one of the most popular medicinal plants in South Africa but to date there is no documented evidence corroborating its safety. This study thus aimed to determine the toxicity profile of the aqueous extract of Polygala fruticosa by determining its effects after acute and sub-chronic oral administration in female mice and rats, respectively. In adult mice, single oral administrations of the aqueous extract of Polygala fruticosa (2-20 g/kg body weight) induced an increase in the incidence of general behavioural adverse effects. The mortality rate also increases with increasing dosage (LD(50)=10.8 g/kg). In rats, daily single oral doses of Polygala fruticosa aqueous extract (0.1 and 1g/kg) were well tolerated behaviourally after 31 days of dosing (LD(50) much higher than 1g/kg) and induced no significant changes in body and organs weights. However, haematological and biochemical parameters showed a significant decrease in platelet count and significant increases in ALT, AST and creatinine levels suggesting disturbances of haemopoiesis, liver and kidney functions. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that Polygala fruticosa is non-toxic and has, at low dose, a low toxicity potential in acute and chronic oral administrations, respectively. However, at high chronic oral doses, Polygala fruticosa has significant anti-haemopoietic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic activities.

Mukinda JT ，Eagles PF 《-》

Toxicological evaluation of ethyl acetate extract of Cylicodiscus gabunensis stem bark (Mimosaceae).

Kouitcheu Mabeku LB ，Penlap Beng V ，Kouam J ，Essame O ，Etoa FX ... -  《JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY》