Evaluation of toxicity profile of leaf base extract of Sorghum bicolor in rat

Abstract

The toxicity profile of 70% methanolic extract of Sorghum bicolor leaf base widely used in ethnomedicine was evaluated in male rats treated daily for 28 days using 100 – 400 mg/kg p. o. doses. No adverse clinical signs were observed. There was no significant change in the feed intake, body weight and relative organ weight except the significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weight of kidneys and increase in relative weight of the testes observed at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. No gross or histopathological changes were seen in the kidneys, heart, spleen, lungs, liver and testes. No significant effect was observed in the haematological indices (packed cell volume, heamoglobin, total
and differential white blood cells), hepatic function indices (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total
protein) as well as renal function indices (urea and creatinine). Uric acid was however reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Study of effect on serum lipid profile showed no significant effect on cholesterol but a significant reduction of triglyceride at 200 mg/kg p. o. dose. The results suggest that S. bicolor leaf extract is relatively safe.