Sub-chronic Safety Assessment of Crude Methanol Leaf Extract of Terminalia macroptera (Guill & Perr) in rats
*Ibrahim Haruna Sani1,2, Abdullahi Rabiu Abubakar,2,Abdullahi Hamza Yaro2 and Sani Malami,2
- Unit of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
| Key words:
Terminalia macroptera, sub-chronic toxicity, biochemical analysis; haematological indices, herbal medicine. .
*Corresponding author: harunaibrahim81@yahoo.com, Page No.: 46-54 Volume: 2, Issue 1 2021 Trends in Natural Products Research Copy Right: NAPREG |
Abstract Traditionally plant extracts were used in the treatment of many diseases and disorders. However, before usage, it is vital to ensure their safety. Hence, the toxicity assessment of medicinal plants with proven therapeutic use is of utmost importance. The tree Terminalia macroptera (Combretaceae) is widespread in Western Africa, with the different parts of the plant having been utilized in the treatment of various diseases. This study evaluated the safety profile of crude methanol leaf extract of Terminalia macroptera in rats using acute and sub-chronic toxicity assessments. In the acute study, a single oral dose (5000 mg/kg) of the extract was administered to three rats and observed for 14 days for signs of acute toxicity. In the sub-chronic study, experimental animals were administered with the extract at 250 – 1000 mg/kg for 28 days. Acute toxicity (LD50) was estimated to be > 5000 mg/kg. No mortality or signs of toxicity were observed in the rats following acute and sub-chronic drug administration. In sub-chronic toxicity testing, administration of the extract did not cause any changes in body weight of treated animals when compared to the control group (distilled water treated animals). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in the relative organs weights, bodyweights, haematological indices, biochemical parameters, and gross abnormalities, compared to the control. Therefore, it is concluded that the oral administration of the crude methanol leaf extract of Terminalia macroptera for 28 days is safe with no acute or sub-chronic toxicity |