Use of the leaf-aqueous extract of Pseudopanax arboreus (Araliaceae) (L.F. Phillipson) is void of toxic effects
1 Zoology Laboratory, Department of Animal Biology and Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon.
2 Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
3 Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Technology Research Archive, 2022, 03(01), 091–099.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijstra.2022.3.1.0061
Publication history:
Received on 22 June 2022; revised on 27 July 2022; accepted on 29 July 2022
Abstract:
Although plants may be effective in treating some ailments, they may contain potent chemical compounds that could cause adverse effects and toxicity. It is therefore essential to ensure the clinical efficacy, quality and safety of any medicinal plant preparation before making it available to consumers. Psudopanax arboreus (Araliaceae) has scientifically been proven to have sex-enhancing potentials and is capable of reversing male sexual dysfunction; but its toxicological profile has never been assessed. The present study focused on evaluating the toxicological effect of its leaf-aqueous extract in rats. In acute toxicity, a total of 21 rats of eight weeks old were divided into 3 groups of 7 rats each, with animals of group 1 administered 10 ml/kg distilled water, while groups 2 and 3 received 2000 and 5000 mg/kg of the aqueous extract, respectively. In sub-acute toxicity, a total of 40 rats of either sex were divided into 4 groups of10 animals each. Animals of group 1 received 10 ml/kg of distilled water, while groups 2, 3, 4 were given the aqueous extract at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Single oral administration provoked no clinical signs of toxicity and death in the tested doses; hence, the LD50 value of the extract was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg. Similarly, the 28 days-treatment did not cause any significant difference in body weight, water/food intake, organ weights, hematological and biochemical parameters between the extract-treated animals and the control group. It can be concluded that the leaf-aqueous extract of P. arboreus is well tolerated.
Keywords:
Acute; Sub-acute; Toxicity; Aqueous extract; Pseudopanax arboreus
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