Toxicological implications of the fruit of Harungana madagascariensis on wistar rats

Abstract

Background: The unopened buds of the fruit of Harungana madagascariensis is used in the treatment of anaemia and skin diseases in traditional medicine. Hence, this study aims to scientifically evaluate the effects of oral administration of the fruit extract of Harungana madagascariensis on haematological, biochemical and histological parameters in Wistar rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening of the ethanol fruit extract of H. madagascariensis was carried out. Acute toxicity test was done using Lorke's method. Sub-acute toxicity studies were done using 24 rats of both sexes which were randomized into four groups of six rats each. Animals in groups A, B, C were administered with the extract at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively while group D animals were given distilled water (5 mg/ kg) and served as the control group. All administrations were done through the oral route for 30 consecutive days. Body weights of the animals were taken weekly during the study. The animals were sacrificed under diethyl ether anaesthesia and blood samples collected for evaluation of haematological (red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and white blood cell) and biochemical (alanine transferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and total protein) parameters. Histological examination was conducted on the liver and kidney of the animals. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, steroidal nucleus, saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and tannins. Acute toxicity test showed that the LD 50 was greater than 5000 mg/kg. There was no statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the RBC, HB, PCV and WBC of the extract treated groups when compared to the control group. There was however, a statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the creatinine level of the 500 mg/kg extract-treated group and the control. There was no statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in other biochemical parameters of the extract treated groups and the control group except for a marginal increase in the total protein in the group treated with 1000 mg/kg of the extract (60 g/L) compared with control (54.80 g/L). Histopathological examination showed alterations in the morphology of the liver and kidney in extract treated groups as compared to the control groups. Conclusion: The findings have revealed that the ethanol fruit extract of H. madagascariensis should be used with caution especially during prolonged usage as the histology showed it has nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic potentials. Further studies will be done to establish the effects of the extract on white blood cells.

Traditional medicinal plants used for treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases in northern Nigeria

“…ex Poir Used to treat typhoid, diarrhea, anemia in Cameroun, skin diseases in Ghana, analgesic and treatment of toothache in Guinea, Chronic diarrhea in Tanzania and Rwanda. Used to treat asthma, tuberculosis and fever [ 192 , 193 ] Induced anti-HIV activity [194] The LD 50 of fruits was > 5000 mg/kg and long term use at high dose could induce toxicity [195] Hepatitis, meningitis, poliomyelitis Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Used to treat jaundice and other hepatic obstruction, malaria.…”

Common plants used in the treatment of typhoid fever, their active components and toxicity related issues: A review

“…Although research has shown H. madagascariensis to be of high medicinal value, its prolonged usage in treating diseases has to be done with great caution, taking into account its potential toxic effect. Studies carried out by Shorinwa and Monsi (2020) on the toxicity of ethanol extract from the fruit of H. madagascariensis on Wistar rats showed inflammatory cells in the portal tract of the ethanol-treated rats. The level of inflammation was proportional to the dosage concentration and duration.…”

The in vivo toxicity evaluation of leaf and root methanolic extracts of Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f using animal model

“…Animal model experiments were performed in accordance with OECD guidelines 423 and 407 for toxicity assessment [25,26] and the previous methods with minor modifications [27][28][29][30][31][32]. Fifty-five laboratory albino rats aged 8 weeks were collected from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).…”