Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Euphorbia heterophylla L. in Sprague Dawley Rats
Journal Title: Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research - Year 2016, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Aims: The present study, aim to investigate the acute toxicity of Euphorbia heterophylla leaf (EHL) aqueous extract. Study Design: Female Sprague Dawley Rats were divided into five experimental groups consisting of four EHL treatment groups (50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) and control group. The animals received their respective treatments once orally, observed for 14 days and sacrificed. Place and Duration of Study: Food technology Department, Federal Industrial Institute of Research Oshodi (FIRRO), Nigeria, between 16th May 2016 and 31st May, 2016. Methodology: Healthy female Sprague Dawley rats (80-100 g) were used. Weights of the animals were recorded before and after EHL extract administration. The feed consumption pattern, relative organ weight, hematological parameters, clinical biochemistry and histology of the liver were carried out. Results: There was a significant decrease (p< 0.001, p< 0.01) in mean weekly percentage increase in body weight of rats that received 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg in either weeks of treatment, although there was no significant change in the food consumed. The relative weight of the liver, kidney and brain significantly increased (p< 0.05) especially at 2000 mg/kg. There was also a significant increase in hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HB) at 50 mg/kg (p< 0.05) and 150 mg/kg (p< 0.001). However, red blood cells (RBC) (p < 0.05), platelets (PLT) (p< 0.001) and white blood cells (WBC) (p< 0.05) significantly decreased mostly at 2000 mg/kg. There was significant elevation in either aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at 50 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg. Moreover, EHL caused mild inflammation or portal congestion in all treatment groups. Conclusion: EHL possess toxicity potentials clinically, especially at higher doses and safe use of the plant extract is recommended in regards to its common traditional use.
Authors and Affiliations
Elemo Olubunmi Olajumoke, Oreagba Ibrahim, Akinyede Akinwunmi, Nicholas Viola
Long Term Consumption of Coconut Oil Diet Increased Anxiety Related Behaviour in CD1 Mice
The effect of prolonged consumption of virgin coconut oil (VCO) diet on anxiety was assessed in CD1 mice using the Open field (OF), Elevated plus maze (EPM) and Light/dark box (LD box) tests. Thirty male CD1 mice (28.4 -...
Conservation Status of Animal Species Used by Indigenous Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Ogbomoso, Oyo State
Aim: To document the indigenous knowledge of fauna species used in traditional medicine practices and to establish their conservational status. Study Design: A questionnaire guided survey of the traditional uses of faun...
Cupping Therapy (Al-Hijamah): An Exploratory Study of Healthcare Professionals Controversial Beliefs and Conceptions, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Background: Cupping therapy (Al-Hijamah) is a traditional therapy, supported and practised by people around the world since ancient times. Cupping therapy related to complementary and alternative medicine is associated w...
Attenuation of Doxorubicin-induced Oxidative Stress and Organ Damage in Experimental Rats by Theobroma cacao Stem Bark
Eighty rats, randomly selected, were divided into three (3) treatment groups: pre-, co- and post-treatment; consisting of 6 sub-groups each (5 rats per sub-group); baseline, normal saline (2 ml), α-lipoic acid (20 mg/kg...
Active Phytochemicals and Antimicrobial Properties of the Extracts of Xylopia aethiopica Root and Stem Bark
The use of plants to prevent and cure diseases traditionally has been a common practice all over the world even with no scientific evidence of why they have been used. Xylopia aethiopica is one of such plant known to be...