Acute and Sub-Chronic Toxicity Studies of the Aqueous Ethanol Leaf Extract of Pavonia senegalensis (Cav.) Liestner in Wistar Rats

doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v4i1.4

Abstract

The leaf of Pavonia senegalensis is used traditionally for the treatment of bone and soft tissue infections. In this study, the aqueous ethanol leaf extract was investigated for its acute and sub- chronic toxicological effects. Acute toxicity study was done using Lorke method while the 28- day sub-chronic toxicity study was done using OECD guideline in Wistar rats via the oral route. The LD50 from the acute toxicity study was > 5000 mg/kg indicating that the extract is non- toxic. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, there was no significant changes in body weight and relative organ weights of organ assessed in both the extract treated and control groups. There were no significant variations in the haematological indices in the extract treated groups compared to control. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in creatinine levels at 600 mg/kg dose of the extract compared to control and there were a dose-dependent glomerular and tubular necrosis on sections of the kidney in the extract treated groups. There were no significant changes in liver enzymes markers in the extract treated groups compared to control. The section of the liver showed a slight to moderate necrosis, vacoulation and vascular congestion that is dose-dependent in the extract treated groups. The section of the spleen showed a slight lesion that is dose-dependent. In conclusion, the aqueous ethanol leaf extract of P. senegalensis is non- toxic when given orally over a short period but the 28 days administration showed that the extract is nephrotoxic and slightly hepatotoxic in rats.