Sub-chronic Toxicity Studies of the Aqueous Extract of Boerhavia diffusa Leaves

Abstract

The acute and subchronic toxicity studies of Boerhavia diffusa (B. diffusa) leaves in albino mice and rats were investigated. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out. 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the test groups while distilled water was given to the control group. The parameters measured include food and fluid intake, body weight, absolute and relative weight of various organs, haematological parameters [total white blood cell (WBC) and packed cell volume (PCV)], and tests for liver function: glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. The lethal dose (LD 50 ) was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg (p.o.) in both mice and rats. Rats treated with the extract had progressive increase in body weight, which was significantly (p < 0.05) different from control. The aqueous extract of B. diffusa leaves increased both food and fluid intake. There were no significant changes in both the absolute and relative organ weights between the control and the test groups. The liver enzymes and haematological parameters were statistically equal in all the groups. B. diffusa aqueous leaf extract is non toxic in albino rats.

Phytochemical screening and in vitro bioactivities of the extracts of aerial part of Boerhavia diffusa Linn.

“…Shade-dried and pulverized plant material (150 g 暳 3) was successively extracted with n-hexane (BDHE), ethyl acetate (BDEA) and methanol (BDME) by continuous hot extraction using Soxhlet apparatus at a temperature for 6 hours not exceeding the boiling points of the solvents. The extracts were concentrated with a rotary evaporator (IKA, Germany) at low temperature (40- [21] .…”

“…It has also been reported to be useful in the treatment of elephantiasis, night blindness, corneal ulcers, various hepatic disorders and as an antiviral agent [5,6] . In Nigerian folk medicine it has been widely used for the treatment of epilepsy [7] , infertility and menstrual pain [8] .…”

Serum-biochemical profile and immunomodulatory effect of Aegle marmelos, Chelidonium majus and Boerhaavia diffusa homeopathic mother tincture supplementation in guinea fowl

“…In accordance with results of present experiment on Chelidonium supplementation Vakil et al (1989) and Rawling et al (2009) , while Gawronska et al (2009) and Banerjee et al (2010 observed decrease in the activity of SGPT. Orisakwe et al (2003) reported statistically similar levels in B. diffusa extract administered albino rats.…”

Sub-acute toxicity evaluation of ethanol extract of rheumatic tea formula (a polyherbal tea) in wistar rats

“…The significant increase in ALP levels by the ethanol extract of RTF shows that possible cholestasis occurred at the dose levels tested (Orisakwe et al, 2003). This indicates slight adverse effect on the liver since AST, ALT and bilurubin levels were not significantly elevated against the control.…”