The short-term toxicity of Ficus thonningii Blume (FT) was studied in Wistar rats following daily oral administration of the leaf extract (250-500 mg kg )1 ) for 15 days. Acute toxicity, body weight changes, organ weight, food intake, clinical signs, haematology, gross and tissue histology were monitored. The body weights of treated rats increased progressively, but the changes were not significantly different from control. The relative weights of the essential organs of treated rats were unaffected in both male and female rats. Of the sixteen haematological parameters studied, only the total leukocyte counts and plateletcrit values in male rats fed 500 mg kg )1 of FT were significantly greater than similar parameters in controls. Histological findings indicated possible testicular, lung and hepatic toxicities. The LD 50 of FT was estimated to be >3000 mg kg )1 . The results suggest that short-term oral application of F. thonningii may not exert severe toxic effects in rats at doses lower than 500 mg kg )1 .

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Background Salacial lehmbachii stem bark is used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Treatment of diabetes is necessary to reduce these complications. Methods In this study, the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential of S. lehmbachii ethanol stem bark extract was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg p.o. daily for 21 days. Blood glucose levels, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were assessed in the animals. Results Treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats with S. lehmbachii stem bark extract showed significant (p<0.01) reduction in blood glucose levels when compared with diabetic control. The elevated levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL were significantly (p<0.01) reduced by S. lehmbachii stem bark extract, while the level of HDL significantly (p<0.01) increased. Conclusions The results obtained suggest that S. lehmbachii stem bark extract has the potential to treat diabetes condition and hyperlipidemic disorders.