Introduction
Achyranthes aspera
,
Chenopodium murale
,
Satureja punctata
,
Rumex abyssinicus
and
Aloe pulcherrima
are traditionally used to treat urolithiasis in Ethiopia. However, there are limited reports on toxicity studies.
Objective
This study was intended to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity effects of plants.
Materials and Methods
The crude extracts of
A. aspera
and
C. murale
leaves,
S. punctata
aerial parts,
R. abyssinicus
rhizomes, and
A. Pulcherrima
gel were prepared using 70 % ethanol. In acute toxicity, 125, 500 and 2000 mg/kg were tested in a stepwise manner; whereas 2000 mg/kg administrated to female rats using gavage during sub-acute toxicity. On day 14 and 28, blood samples were collected from retro-orbital sinus; liver and kidneys of each animal were collected under anaesthesia. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Dunnett's comparison test of the Graph Pad Prism.
Results
No mortality and significant weight loss for all extracts in both toxicity tests. In acute toxicity,
C. murale
extract significantly reduced hemoglobin and platelets (P < 0.01) compared with the control. Likewise,
S. punctata
(P < 0.05) and
R. abyssinicus
(P < 0.01) extracts revealed significant reduction in platelet count. An exposure to
C. murale
and
R. abyssinicus
extracts reduced the concentrations of platelet distribution width and platelet larger cell ratio (p < 0.05) during sub-acute toxicity test. The level of creatinine reduced due to
A. aspera
extract administrations(P < 0.05). Liver histopathological examinations revealed focal periportal hepatitis following sub-acute toxicity test of
C. murale.
Histopathological studies of liver demonstrated that
R. abyssinicus
,
A. aspera
and
S. punctata
extracts showed mild acute liver injury.
A. pulcherrima
was not associated with any toxicity.
Conclusion
C. murale
extract showed hematological, and histopathological toxicity profiles in rats. Furthermore, chronic toxicity studies of
A. aspera
,
S. punctata
and
R. abyssinicus
extracts would be beneficial to ensure safety.