Chronic Toxicity Of Enantia Chlorantha in Animal Model

Abstract

Enantia chiorantha (Annonaceae) bark, a traditional medicinal plant often used in the treatment of P.falciparum infections has been indiscriminately ingested by individuals especially in this part of the world.



The present study was conducted to determine the cumulative effects of E. chlorantha in the body tissues. The bark after procurement was sun-dried and chopped into tiny pieces. A 150g sample was boiled in 1.5L distilled water and the resultant aqueous extract was administered ad - libitum to 5 groups of rats consisting of 10 animals each for a period of 16 weeks. The animals were thereafter sacrificed and the important body organs/tissues were excised for histopathological study.



The aqueous extract of E.chlorantha was found to produce certain pathological changes in most of the animals studied. Among the parts affected were the lungs, liver, heart, tongue and pancreas. The kidney, however showed mild pathology.



This therefore suggests that specific recommended regimen be ingested by users.

Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 9, No. 2 (June 1999) pp. 143-145