Toxicological Profile of the Aqueous Extract of Tectona grandis L.F. (Verbenaceae) Leaves: A Medicinal Plant Used in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever in Traditional Cameroonian Medicine

Abstract

Tectona grandis (T. grandis) is a medicinal plant widely used in Cameroon to treat typhoid fever and several other diseases. Despite its heavy use for medical purposes, no study has yet been conducted to assess its potentially toxic effects. This study aimed at evaluating the acute and subchronic toxicological profile of Tectona grandis leaf extract in rats. The acute toxicity study revealed neither behavioral disturbances nor death in rats. The lethal dose (DL50) of this extract is greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. The subchronic toxicity study showed no significant change in weight gain in rats at test doses throughout the treatment period. However, there was a significant decrease in alanine transaminase activity and serum protein levels at all doses. Alkaline phosphatase activity decreased at doses of 30, 90, and 270 mg/kg and increased at the dose of 810 mg/kg body weight. Serum and urinary urea levels increased simultaneously at doses of 270 and 810 mg/kg body weight. Repeated administration of the extract also increased total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein levels in both sexes were compared to respective controls, and the ratio of high- to low-density lipoprotein was found to be greater than 1 in all animals. However, at the dose of 810 mg/kg, necrosis was observed on the kidney sections and vascular congestion on the liver sections of animals. Aqueous extract of T. grandis did not lead to any adverse effects in rats after acute and subchronic treatment at 30 and 90 mg/kg doses. This extract can, therefore, be used for the formulation of typhoid fever phytomedicine at the therapeutic dose of 30 mg/kg, but before this, chronic and mutagenic toxicity evaluations must be carried out.

In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicological Evaluation of Avicennia africana P: Beauv. (Avicenniaceae) Leaf Extract in a Rat Model

“…In the acute toxicity tests, it was found that AAE did not cause any morbidity or mortality in the animals at doses up to 5000 mgkg −1 [ 22 ]. The rats did not exhibit any toxic-related symptoms at a dose level of 5000 mgkg −1 p.o.…”

“…Measurement of haematological biomarker thresholds forecasts the level of toxicity of the substance [ 22 , 24 ]. Moreover, haematological indicators in animal models are crucial for assessing toxicity concerns.…”

Modulating Effects of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Persicaria lanigera R. Br. Soják (Polygonaceae) against Acute Inflammation

“…Toxicity screening of medicinal plants using animal models is essential to validate their use in regular therapy [ 19 ] because the effects observed in animals as a result of exposure to chemical substances can be related to humans [ 20 ]. Based on this assertion, the acute toxicity profile of Persicaria lanigera was assessed to confirm its safety using acute toxicity studies in rats.…”

Toxicological profile, phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory properties of leaves of Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae)

“…Repeated administration of the extract of V. doniana had no effect on the lipid profile of the animals. According to [37], excess of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and lack of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are risk factors for atherosclerosis.…”