Toxicological evaluations of aqueous extracts of two Nigerian ethnobotanicals ( Tetrapleura tetraptera and Quassia undulata ) of neurological importance in rats

AbstractTetrapleura tetraptera (TT) andQuassia undulata (QU) are two predominant ethnobotanicals commonly used in traditional medical practices for the management of neurological disorders in Nigeria. However, there is a dearth of information on the toxicological aspects of these plants. Hence, in this study, a 14-day toxicological evaluation of aqueous extracts of TT and QU were carried out in rats. The extracts were administered orally with 5, 50, 500, 2000, and 5000  mg/kg body weight. Signs of toxicity were observed every hour for the first 6 h and every day for 14 days. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and biochemical parameters were monitored during the study period. There were no mortality or change in weight observed in the rats at all do ses for both extracts, while some clinical signs were observed in rats dosed at 5000 mg/kg during the first 2 h of dosing. Also, there were no significant changes in the plasma liver marker enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)], plasma renal marker enzymes [creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid], and the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of rats administered 5, 50, 500, and 2000 mg/kg of both extracts when compared to the control, but there was a significant increase in the plasma AST, ALT, and MDA l evels of rats administered 5000 mg/kg when compared to the control. The no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) value of ...
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research