Results suggest that B. micrantha has hepatoprotective and anti oxidant potentials. However, further work involving fractionation needs to done to isolate the active compound responsible for the hepatoprotective activity.

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Aim: Acute and subchronic toxicity studies were performed on Gnetum africanum Welw leaves using well-established guidelines and methods. In spite of its use as a herbal remedy, there is a dearth of data on toxicity studies of the plant extract. Method: Gnetum africanum leaves were identified by a plant taxonomist, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted with 80% methanol for 48 hours in July 2015. The extract was concentrated in-vacuo and stored as Gnetum africanum extract (GAE) at 4°C. Thirty-five male albino rats randomly divided into seven groups (n = 5) were used for acute toxicity test, which was done in August 2015. Rats in groups 1-6 were given GAE at 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 mg/kg, respectively, while group 7 rats received 10 ml/ kg distilled water. Feed and water were provided and they were observed for signs of toxicity for 48 hours. A 90-day subchronic toxicity study was conducted using 56 rats of four groups (n = 14) in December 2015-March, 2016. Group 1 received feed without GAE, while groups 2-4 were given feed with GAE at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg respectively. Four rats from each group were bled on days 30, 60, and 90 for clinical biochemistry and sacrificed for histopathological examination. Result: The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) was greater than 5,000 mg/kg while no-observed-adverse-effect-level was 40 mg/kg. Serum marker enzymes and creatinine were not increased in rats given extract in feed, while there were no histopathological lesions in the organs studied. Conclusions: The extract is safe at both the acute and subchronic levels. ARTICLE HISTORY