EVALUATION OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC TOXICITIES OF AQUEOUS STEM BARK EXTRACT OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA L DELILE
Ugwah OM1*, Ugwah-Oguejiofor CJ2, Etuk EU1, Bello SO1, Aliero AA3
1.Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
2.Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
3.Department of Botany, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 8(2): 93-99 ; Nov/Dec 2016
ABSTRACT
The stem bark of Balanites aegyptiaca is used in traditional medicine in the North-western Nigeria for the treatment of peptic ulcer and other diseases. Previous studies showed the antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant. The present study was to analyse the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the acute and chronic toxicity profile of the aqueous stem bark extract of Balanites aegyptiaca in albino rats. Phytochemical analysis was performed following standard procedures. The Up and Down method of acute toxicity testing was used to assess the LD50 of the plant at an oral limit dose of 3000 mg/kg in female rats. Chronic toxicity study was assessed using albino rats of both sexes housed separately (n=8) at oral doses of 750, 1500 and 2250 mg/kg of Balanites aegyptiaca for 12 weeks. Weekly weights were recorded. At the end of the 12 weeks the rats were anaesthetised and blood samples for haematological and biochemical studies collected. Their small intestine, stomach, heart, kidney and liver were excised for histological examination. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids flavonoids, steroids and glycosides. It showed no mortality and no observed symptoms of toxicity at the limit dose of 3000 mg/kg. This suggests that the LD50 of Balanites aegyptiaca is greater than 3000 mg/kg. In the chronic study, the extract treated groups, had no significant weight gain compared with control and no behavioural effects. Liver enzymes, AST and ALT, were significantly increased (p<0.01) at doses of 1500 and 2250 mg/kg. Urea level significantly increased (p<0.05) at the dose of 750 mg/kg compared with control. Histopathological studies revealed evidence of microscopic lesions in the liver which correlated with biochemical disturbances. Aqueous stem bark extract of Balanites aegyptiaca may be safe but could have toxic effects in the liver on prolong use.
KEYWORDS: Balanites aegyptiaca, Toxicity, Liver enzymes, Urea, Haematological studies
*Corresponding Author: mikeugwah@yahoo.com