Abstract

Introduction: Zanthoxylum heitzii is a medicinal plant used in an empirical way in Cameroun and Chad to treat various diseases such as the headaches, sterility, the diarrheas, cancer, syphilis, paludism, cardiovascular diseases and the urogenital affections. Aim of the study: The present study aims to evaluate the use limits of the aqueous extract of the stem bark extract of Z heitzii in acute treatment in rat. Materials and methods: Acute toxicity was evaluated on the rats of two sexes, 3 months old and weighing 250 ± 10 g. A single dose (3-18 g/kg) of Z heitzii was administered by oral way to the rats.The behavior of the animals, the harmful effects and mortality were determined during 14 days.The ponderal evolution, hydrous and food consumption, the relative weight of organ and the rectal temperature were determined throughout the experimental period, while the hematologic and biochemical parameters of blood and the urine, were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results: The animals treated with the high doses presented behavioral deteriorations. The DL50 determined by calculation were 11,7 g/kg. The maximum tolerated dose was 6 g/kg and DL100 were 18g/kg. The biochemical analysis of plasma revealed that the aqueous extract of Z heitzii caused, dose-dependent, a significant reduction of ASAT and ALAT.The males and females rats, treated with the doses 12-15 g/kg saw their rectal temperatures increased on the first six hours before decreasing 24h later. The general reduction in values of these hematologic parameters can be due to the direct destruction of the cells in circulation or of the loss of mature cells in circulation by haemorrhage or by escape through the capillaries or even by reduction of the production of the cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, although the present study indicates that Z heitzii, has medicinal values, its capacity to produce damage on liver with high doses in rats suggests that the human exposure to this plant for a long time must be narrowly supervised

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