
	Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
	Year: 2008 \| Volume: 3 \| Issue: 5 \| Page No.: 335-343 DOI: 10.3923/jpt.2008.335.343

Toxicological Evaluation of the Anti-Malarial Herb Cryptolepis sanguinolenta in Rodents

C. Ansah, E.A. Mfoafo, E. Woode, C. Opoku-Okrah and W.K.B.A. Owiredu

Abstract: In this study, we evaluated the aqueous extract of the roots of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Periplocaceae), an anti-malarial herb in the West African sub-region for possible toxicity in rodents. Administration of cryptolepis (10-1000 mg kg^-1) daily for two weeks did not cause significant changes in most of the haematological parameters assessed. However, the MCV reduced from a vehicle-treated value of 63.1 ± 0.6 to 58.1 ± 0.9 g dL^-1 at a dose of 10 mg kg^-1, which reflected in an increased MCHC (27.8 ± 0.3 to 30.5 ± 0.3 g dL^-1), since the Hb concentration remained unchanged. Serum transaminase levels did not change significantly suggesting a limited effect on the liver. Administration of the extract (50-1000 mg kg^-1, p.o.) 30 min before pentobarbitone (50 mg kg^-1, i.p.) caused a dose-dependent prolongation of the rat sleeping time from 66.6 ± 8.1 min (vehicle-treated control) to 266.5 ± 7.0 min (1000 mg kg^-1). Similarly, daily treatment with the extract (50-1000 mg kg^-1) for 2 weeks prolonged the sleeping time from 155 ± 28.4 to 292.8 ± 28.7 min. This effect appeared to be CNS-related rather than an enzymatic as reflected in a decreased locomotor activity (19.4 ± 1.5 to 1.8 ± 0.8 min^-1) at a dose of 500 mg kg^-1 body weight. All together, our results suggest that Cryptolepis could synergize with hypno-sedatives or other CNS depressants and therefore caution needs to be taken in the concomitant administration of Cryptolepis and other CNS depressants.

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How to cite this article:

C. Ansah, E.A. Mfoafo, E. Woode, C. Opoku-Okrah and W.K.B.A. Owiredu, 2008. Toxicological Evaluation of the Anti-Malarial Herb Cryptolepis sanguinolenta in Rodents. Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 3: 335-343.

DOI: 10.3923/jpt.2008.335.343

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jpt.2008.335.343

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