Toxicity study of four partially purified leaf extract of Vitex simplicifolia on liver function in wistar rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the liver toxicological indices, following 21 days administration of fractionated leaf extracts of Vitex simplicifolia in Wistar rats. Acute toxicity studies with very high concentrations of the four fractionated extracts were carried out followed by sub chronic toxicities studies involving administration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight of the four fractionated leaf extracts to the experimental animals for 21 days. Aqueous, methanolic and ethyl acetate fractions significantly increase Alanine transaminase ALP (P < 0.05) and significantly decrease (P < 0.05) Aspartate transaminase (AST). However, the n- hexane fraction showed significant increase in ALP, AST and unconjugated bilirubin. The histopathological studies of the liver showed mild to moderate sinusoidal lymphocytosis with prominent kupfer cells and focal portal inflammation in the test groups. These observations shows that care should be taken when using Vitex simplicifolia as a phytoremedy against any ailments as sub chronic administration at high concentrations of the extract may induce injury to the liver.

Keywords: Vitex simplicifolia, Unconjugated billirubin, Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate transaminase,  Aspartate  transaminase