ABSTRACT
Aim: The schistosomicidal activity of C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract has been previously demonstrated. The present study was performed to establish the acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity profile of C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract in mice.
Methods: For acute oral toxicity study, C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract (CuAE) was administered per os to female mice at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. Animals were observed for 14 days in order to identify signs of toxicity or death. In the repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study, the extract was administered daily and per os to female and male mice at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. A satellite group was also set up. Body weight was measured weekly. Hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were analyzed.
Results: CuAE at 2000 mg/kg produced no sign of toxicity or mortality. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, no mortality, no significant change of the body weight, the relative organ weights and the hematological parameters were recorded in all treated mice. CuAE at 400 mg/kg significantly increased transaminases activities in male mice. Except for creatinine and HDL-cholesterol which concentrations increased after administration of CuAE at 800 mg/kg, the levels of others biochemical markers didnt change. Histopathological abnormalities found in the kidneys were reversible.
Conclusion: These results indicated that the LD50 of CuAE is greater than 2000 mg/kg and CuAE, therefore, belongs to the category five of relatively non-toxic substances. From the sub-chronic toxicity study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CuAE for both male and female mice was considered to be 200 mg/kg/day.
Key words: Clerodendrum umbellatum, acute oral toxicity, repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity, NOAEL, mice.
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