Acute and sub-acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) in Wistar rats.

Abstract

The present study investigated the toxicological potential of the oral administration of the stem bark aqueous extract of R. vomitoria on the liver and kidney in rats. Acute oral toxicity study of the extract to a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was studied in 10 rats of both sexes. Sub –acute oral toxicity of aqueous extract of was carried out on 60 rats. We constituted 4 groups of 10 rats each (5 males and 5 females) which were orally administered 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg of aqueous extract and control group received water. 2 group satellites (SAT) of 10 rats each (5 males and 5 females) in which one group (SAT 900 mg/kg) was received orally 900 mg/kg of aqueous extract and another (SAT control) water. Serum blood was collected for biochemical and haematological parameters. The liver and kidney served for histological examination. No deaths of acute oral toxicity were recorded. In female rats, Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT) activity increased by 31.20 % and Alamine Aminotransferase (ALAT) increased by 37.20 %. In male rats, only ALAT activity increased significantly by 35.37 % compared to control. Haematological analysis revealed in male rats treated at the dose of 900 mg/kg an increase significant (p<0.001) level of white blood cells with 52.20 %, compared to control group. Histological examination of liver and kidney showed normal architecture. Aqueous extract has untoward effect on liver and kidney, could be considered non-toxic.

Toxicological Study of the Aqueous Extract of the Stem Bark of Rauvolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae)

“…Several studies have shown that Rauvolfia vomitoria is not toxic when administered orally to Wistar rats, including Bonheur et al 10 work which has shown that this plant, up to a dose of 900 mg/kg of body weight, is not toxic 11 . However, other work and observations, as well as the chemical composition of Rauvolfia vomitoria, point towards a potential toxic risk.…”