In-Vivo Toxicity Assessment of Stem Bark Extracts of Spondias mombin (Linn) on Male and Female Albino Rats

Abstract

Spondias mombin is depends on for various herbal remedies for the treatment of numerous health conditions. This study is to evaluate the In-vivo toxic effect of Stem bark extracts of Spondias mombin on in male and female albino rats. In-vivo toxicity test was carried out with modified Lorke's method. Forty two (42) male and female albino rats weighing between 120-180g were used for the sub-chronic study. The rats were divided into five groups A-D (n=12). The albino rats were divided into four groups labelled A, B, C, and D with group A, B, and C consisting of 12 rats each, while the remaining 6 rats served as control which were placed in group D. Group A, B and C were fed with 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight doses of crude aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate stem bark extracts of S.mombin, respectively with the aid of an oral gastric tube. Treatments lasted for twenty one days (21). Acute toxicity test carried out showed that stem bark extracts of S. mom bin did not produce mortality in rats. Significant (p<0.05) reduction in brain and kidney weights was observed in group C treated with 200 mg/kg and 500mgkg-1 of crude ethyl acetate stem bark extracts of S. mombin.Similarly, significant (p<0.05) reduction was observed in spleen weights in groups C and D that were treated with 200 mg/kg and 500mgkg-1 of both extracts. The levels of LDL (p<0.001) and ALP (p<0.05) were significantly reduced. It can be concluded that, this result suggests that, the use of the stem bark extracts of S.mombin is relatively safe.