Assessment of in vivo and in ovo Toxicity of the Maytenus senegalensis Roots Hydroalcoholic Extract

Abstract

Background and Objective: Maytenus senegalensis, is a plant traditionally used in Togo to treat several ailments including asthma. This study was undertaken to evaluate the toxicity of the rootʼs hydroalcoholic extract in vivo and in ovo. Materials and Methods: In vivo, the oral acute assay was conducted on Sprague Dawley rats by an oral administration of a single dose of 5000 mg kgG 1 . Subchronic toxicity was studied by a daily administration of the extract at 500 and 1000 mg kgG 1 for 28 consecutive days. The micronucleus test was performed on ICR mice treated with the extract at 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kgG 1 for 7 consecutive days to assess its genotoxicity. In ovo, the effect of the extract injection to SASSO hen eggs on chick embryo development was studied. Results: The acute toxicity test showed that the extract LD 50 was over 5000 mg kgG 1 . The subchronic toxicity study showed no significant variation in the ratʼs body weight increment and haematological and biochemical parameters. Similarly, organsʼ relative weight and histology were not affected by the Maytenus senegalensis extract administration. The micronucleus test revealed an increase (p<0.05) in the number of Micronuclei in Polychromatic Erythrocytes (MnPCE) in mice receiving the extract at 2000 mg kgG 1 and a decrease (p<0.05) in the percentage of polychromatic erythrocyte in the 1000 and 2000 mg kgG 1 groups. Administrated in ovo, the extract did not damage blood vessels or significantly affect the relative weights of the albumen and embryo. Conclusion: Maytenus senegalensis hydroalcoholic extract can be considered safe regarding the results of acute and subacute toxicity tests but further investigations are needed to state its genotoxicity and embryonic toxicity.