Sub-acute toxicity profile of methanolic leaf extract of Securidaca longipedunculata in rats

Abstract

This study investigates the toxicological profile of Securidaca longipedunculata in rats. Sub-acute toxicity study was conducted by oral administration of the extracts to rats at daily doses of 25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Methanol leaf extract of S. longipedunculata caused significant (p< 0.05) increase in serum urea, creatinine, sodium & proteins but significantly (p< 0.05) decreased the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cholesterol concentration when compared with the controls. However, there was no significant (p> 0.05) difference in serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), potassium, triglyceride albumin and bilirubin concentration when compared with control. Jobelyn and dexamethazone caused significant (p< 0.05) increase in serum AST, urea, triglycerides, sodium and protein. Dexamethazone caused significant increase (p<0.05) in bilirubin, cholesterol, and a decrease in serum ALP and creatinine concentration when compared with the control. The extract also had no significant (p>0.05) effect on hematological parameters except for a significant increase (p<0.05) in white blood cells when compared with the normal control. The plant extracts have shown no serious adverse effect on hematological and biochemical parameters. Thus, S. longipedunculata methanol leaf extract could be considered as a natural source of antibiotics for therapeutic purposes.