Background and Purpose: Synsepalum dulcificum (Sapotaceae) is used in traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes, cough and cancer. This study was designed to investigate the in vivo toxicological endpoints of the ethanol leaf extract of S. dulcificum in male and female rats. Methods: After estimating the LD50 in mice, forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four groups of twelve rats each in a sex ratio of 1:1 and were orally administered 10 mL/kg distilled water (control) and 118, 237, 475 mg/kg/day of the extract respectively for forty-five days. The animals were thereafter euthanized and blood samples collected for haematological, biochemical and antioxidant assays. Sperm parameters were evaluated and testis, liver, heart and ovary were harvested for histopathology. Constituents of the extract were determined by GC-MS. Result: The LD50 (oral) was estimated to be 4750 mg/kg in mice. There was a significant decrease in haemoglobin but lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly increased compared to control. Aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly increased compared to control. Creatinine increased, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and albumin decreased significantly in treated rats. There was a significant increase in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA). There were significant increases in reproductive markers of sperm count, motility and abnormality. Renovascular congestion and preserved cytoarchitecture in other organs were observed. Twenty-one compounds including n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxyl-6- methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) and phytol were identified. Conclusion: Prolonged use of the ethanol leaf extract of S. dulcificum could result in hepatic and renal dysfunctions and may increase the risk for male infertility and cardiovascular diseases.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.