Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity Assessment of Euphorbia lateriflora (Schum and Thonn) in Wistar Albino Rats
Olubukola Sinbad Olorunnisola *
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Adewale Adetutu
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Abiodun Olusoji Owoade
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Folorunsho Ayodeji Ajayi
Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Adedoyin Adetutu Ajibade
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Peter Adegbola
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The toxicity of ethanol whole plant extract of Euphorbia lateriflora was assessed in Albino Wistar rats.
Methodology: The LD50 was at single dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight, the sub-acute dosage of the extract was administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.t twice daily for 7 days and the effect of the extract on liver, kidney, and haematological parameters was assessed and recorded during these periods.
Results: The result of the oral acute toxicity study at single high dose of 5000 mg/kg/bwt shows that the LD50 of the extract is greater than 5000 mg/kg/bwt. After 7 days of oral administration, 500 mg/kg/bwt of the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the packed cell volume. At 500 mg/kg/bwt, the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in ALP, total protein and albumin and decrease in serum electrolytes (Na+, k+ and Cl-). Histopathological analysis revealed the expansion of fibrous spaces in the liver and thickening of the glomerular basement of the kidney in the group fed with 500 mg/kg/b.w.t of extracts.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the dose and time-dependent selective organ toxicity effect of this extract suggested that the extract might be relatively unsafe for consumption at especially high concentrations.
Keywords: Toxicity, kidney, liver, haematology, LD50.