Steve O. Ogbonnia
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
Godwin O. Mbaka
Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Emmanuel N. Anyika
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
Jonathan E. Emordi
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
Ndubuisi Nwakakwa
Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The evaluation of the acute and subchronc toxicities of a Nigerian polyherbal tea remedy, prepared with Anthocleista vogelii, Ficus exasperata leaves and Viscum album (mistletoe), was carried out in Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats of both sexes. The lyophilized extract in the dose ranges of 1.0 g to 20.0 g/kg body weight was administered orally to the mice and observed continuously for the first 4 h and hourly for the next 12 h, then 6 hourly for 56 h (72 h, acute toxicity). Wistar rats were also fed with different doses of the lyophilized formulation for 30 days and the effects on some tissues - heart, liver and testes - were histologically evaluated. Also the effects on the biochemical and haematological parameters were evaluated (subchronic toxicity model). The median acute toxicity value (LD50) of the polyherbal tea was determined to be 8.970 g/kg body weight. The tea significantly reduced (p<0.05) plasma glucose and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, but increased High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in the treated groups compared to the control. No significant increase in the body weight was observed in the treated groups. Aspartate Aminotransferases (AST) and creatinine levels were not significantly increased while significant decrease in Alanine Aminotransferases (ALT) levels were observed in all the treated groups. The high LD50 value of the drug implies that the drug could be safe in one dose treatment. The study also revealed that the polyherbal tea may have good hypoglycemic effects and favourable reducing effects on the cardiovascular risk factors.
PDF References Citation
How to cite this article
Steve O. Ogbonnia, Godwin O. Mbaka, Emmanuel N. Anyika, Jonathan E. Emordi and Ndubuisi Nwakakwa, 2011. An Evaluation of Acute and Subchronic Toxicities of a Nigerian Polyherbal Tea Remedy. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 10: 1022-1028.
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2011.1022.1028
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2011.1022.1028
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2011.1022.1028
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2011.1022.1028
REFERENCES
- Burger, C., D.R. Fischer, D.A. Cordenunzzi, A.P. de Borba Batschauer, V.C. Filho and A.R. dos Santos Soares, 2005. Acute and subacute toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract from Wedelia paludosa (Acmela brasiliensis) (Asteraceae) in mice. J. Pharmacy Pharmaceut. Sci., 8: 370-373.
PubMedDirect Link - Ekaidem, I.S., M.I. Akpanabiatu, F.E. Uboh and O.U. Eka, 2006. Vitamin B12 supplementation: Effects on some biochemical and haematological indices of rats on Phenytoin administration. Biokemistri, 18: 31-37.
Direct Link - Hussain, H.E.M.A., 2002. Hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of combination of Curcumin from Curcuma longa, Linn and partially purified product from Abroma augusta, Linn. in streptozotocin induced diabetes. Indian J. Clin. Biochem., 17: 33-43.
CrossRefDirect Link - Joshi, C.S., E.S. Priya and S. Venkataraman, 2007. Acute and subacute toxicity studies on the polyherbal antidiabetic formulation Diakyur in experimental animal models. J. Health Sci., 53: 245-249.
Direct Link - Mythilypriya, R., P. Shanthi and P. Sachdanandam, 2007. Oral acute and subacute toxicity studies with Kalpaamruthaa, a modified indigenous preparation, on rats. J. Health Sci., 53: 351-358.
CrossRefDirect Link - Steve, O.O., I.O. Joy and N.E. Veronica, 2008. Evaluation of hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of aqueous ethanolic extracts of Treculia Africana decne and Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. and their mixture on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 7: 2535-2539.
Direct Link - Ogbonnia, S., A.A. Adekunle, M.K. Bosa and V.N. Enwuru, 2008. Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicity of Alstonia congensis Engler (Apocynaceae) bark and Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich (Annonaceae) fruits mixtures used in the treatment of diabetes. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 7: 701-705.
Direct Link - Ogwal-Okeng, J.W., C. Obua and W.W. Anokbonggo, 2003. Acute toxicity effects of the methanolic extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides (L.) root-bark. Afri. Health Sci., 3: 124-126.
Direct Link - Pieme, C.A., V.N. Penlap, B. Nkegoum, C.L. Taziebou, E.M. Tekwu, F.X. Etoa and J. Ngongang, 2006. Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicities of aqueous ethanolic extract of leaves of Senna alata (L.) Roxb (Ceasalpiniaceae). Afr. J. Biotechnol., 5: 283-289.
Direct Link - Rickert, K., R.R. Martinez and T.T. Martinez, 1999. Pharmacist knowledge of common herbal preparations. Proc. West. Pharmacol. Soc., 42: 1-2.
PubMed - Shah, M.A.A., S.K. Garg and K.M. Garg, 1997. Sub-acute toxicity studies on pendimethalin in rats. Int. J. Pharmacol., 29: 322-324.
Direct Link - Tedong, L., P.D.D. Dzeufiet, T. Dimo, E.A. Asongalem and D.S. Sokeng et al., 2007. Acute and subchronic toxicity of Anacardium occidentale Linn (Anacardiaceae) leaves hexane extract in mice. Afr. J. Trad. Complementary Altern. Med., 4: 140-147.
Direct Link - Teguia, A., P.B. Telefo and R.G. Fotso, 2007. Growth performances, organ devlopment and blood parametersof rats fed graded levels of steeped and cooked taro tuber (Colocasia esculenta var esculenta) meal. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., Vol. 19.
Direct Link - Wasan, K.M., S. Najafi, J. Wong, M. Kwong and P.H. Pritchard, 2001. Assessing plasma lipid levels, body weight and hepatic and renal toxicity following chronic oral administration of a water soluble phytostanol compound, FM-VP4, to gerbils. J. Pharm. Pharmaceut. Sci., 4: 228-234.
PubMedDirect Link