Sub-Acute Toxicity Effects of Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Entada abyssinica on Biochemical, Haematological and Histopathological Parameters in Wistar Albino Rats
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Abstract
Whereas the efficacy of Entada abyssinica (fabaceae) extracts against
various ailments has been scientifically validated, its safety has not been established. This
study was undertaken to evaluate the toxicity effects of methanolic stem bark extract of E.
abyssinica on biochemical, haematological and histological parameters of Wistar albino
rats following repeated oral administration.
Methods: Wistar albino rats of both sexes were randomized into groups and orally
administered daily with determined doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) of E. abyssinica
methanolic extract using 1% tween 80 in distilled water as a control for 28 days. On the
29th day, all the animals were sacrificed and dissected to collect blood and selected
organs. The serum and whole blood were assayed for biochemical and haematological
parameters respectively while selected organs were examined for histopathological
lesions. Numerical data was analyzed using graph pad prism and expressed as
mean ± standard error of mean. The differences between the treatment and control
groups were tested for statistical significance using one-way analysis of variance and/or
Student’s t-test.
Results: In repeated daily oral doses (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg), the methanolic stem bark
extract of E. abyssinica did not cause significant alteration in majority of the biochemical
and hematological indices. However, the extract significantly elevated the level of uric acid
(all doses), aspartate aminotransferase (300 and 600 mg/kg), low density lipoproteins
(150 mg/kg) and mean corpuscular heamoglobin concentration (all doses). On the other
hand, the extracts reduced high density lipoproteins (150 and 300 mg/kg), mean
corpuscular volume (all doses), haematocrit (150 and 600 mg/kg), mean platelet
volume (150 and 600 mg/kg) and procalcitonin (150 mg/kg). In the vital organs, there were no significant lesions observed except at the highest dose (600 mg/kg) where there
was mild evidence of lymphocyte infiltration in the liver and focal interstitial nephritis.
Conclusion: The methanolic stem bark extract of E. abyssinica is relatively safe in Wistar
albino rats when repetitively administered orally in small doses for a prolonged period of
time. We recommend more chronic toxicity studies and clinical trials on herbal remedies
containing this plant to ensure that its use is free of potential toxicity to humans.
Description
Keywords
Toxicity, Fabaceae, Traditional medicine, traditional medicine, Entada abyssinica, Histopathalogical, Wistar albina rats
Citation
Obakiro SB, Kiprop A, Kigondu E, K’owino I, Kiyimba K, Drago Kato C and Gavamukulya Y (2021) Sub-Acute Toxicity Effects of Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Entada abyssinica on Biochemical, Haematological and Histopathological Parameters in Wistar Albino Rats. Front. Pharmacol. 12:740305. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.740305. Frontiers in Pharmacology