Toxicological investigation of acute and chronic treatment with Gnidia stenophylla Gilg root extract on some blood parameters and histopathology of spleen, liver and kidney in mice

Abstract

BackgroundIn southeast Ethiopia, people locally use the roots of Gnidia stenophylla Gilg (Thymelaeaceae) to cure malaria and other diseases with no literature evidence substantiating its safety. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the safety of the aqueous root extract of G. stenophylla after acute (single dose) and repeated sub chronic oral administration in mice.ResultsA single oral administration of the extract at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight did not induce any behavioral change and mortality in both sexes. The oral LD50 of the extract was found to be above 6000 mg/kg body weight in mice. Chronic treatment with the extract for 13 weeks did not induce any sign of illness and/or death and had no adverse effect on the body weight. Dose-related elevations of erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelets and neutrophils differential and significant decrease in the number of lymphocyte were observed. Liver sections of mice treated with 800 mg/kg body weight, revealed mild inflammations around the portal triads and central veins; whereas the spleen and kidneys appeared normal with no detectable gross morphological and histopathological alteration at both doses.ConclusionsThe results of this study revealed that aqueous root extract of G. stenophylla Gilg at antimalarial dose is safe even when taken for a longer period. At a higher dose, the extract may have a potential to increase some hematological indices but may induce mild hepatotoxicity as a side effect.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-2964-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Acute dysfunctional status of hepatorenal tissues of rats administered with leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae)

“…Serum ALP activities of experimental rat groups administered with PE and EA fractions of O. gratissimum leaf extract at doses greater than 600 mg/kg b.w. were substantially higher than the control rat group, which further confirmed a compromised hepatobiliary function and was in agreement with previous reports 8,10,12,43,45 . Additionally, previous studies had noted that mild elevation of ALP activity in the blood was indicative of cirrhosis, hepatitis, and congestive cardiac failure 48 .…”

“…Chemical-induced hepatorenal injuries and resultant dysfunction is often initiated by metabolic transformation of molecular species to reactive intermediate species, such as electrophiles, which alter the function and structure of cellular macromolecules 2,42 . Measurement and evaluation of blood indices are fundamental in establishing the pathological and physiological statuses relevant to the clinician, nutritionist and toxicologist 43 The liver is primarily rich in aminotransferases, namely AST and ALT, such that their presence in the blood system indicates hepatic necrosis as well as extrahepatic tissue damage or both 8,12,44,45 . The findings of the present study suggest that doses of PE (≥ 600 mg/kg b.w.)…”

“…Alteration in visceral organ weight, which precedes morphological changes, is a sensitive indicator of systemic toxicity 33,51 . The alteration of visceral organ weight, which is indicative of pathology or compensatory changes in response to stress to the organ, is often reported in relation to the body weight of the experimental animals in toxicological studies 43,[51][52][53] . Notable factors that influence adverse change in visceral organ weight are strain, age and sex of the animal, as well as environmental and experimental conditions 51,54 .…”

Phytochemical-constituents, safety and efficacy of commonly used medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia-a review

“…Similarly, a significant (P<0.05) increase in basophils count was observed with 800mg/kg body weight extract, the other study also investigated G. stenophylla Gilg root extract on did not reveal any detectable gross abnormality stomach, small intestine and large intestine. 48,49 In contrast, lymphocytes count was significantly reduced with 800mg/kg GSG root extract as compared to the control. Serum total protein level appeared to decrease after chronic treatment with 400 and 800mg/kg of extract in a dose-dependent manner and decrease the serum ALP, ALT and urea levels at 400 and 800mg/kg though non significantly.…”

Phytochemical Constituents, Safety and Efficacy Study of Thymus schimperi and Thymus serrulatus

“…In indigenous communities like Africa, Plants have played a central part in combating many ailments both in human and livestock. In Ethiopia, the plant based health care endures as the main alternative treatment for different ailments, mainly due to the scarcity of modern medicine, absence of nearby health service stations, expensive prices of conventional drugs for small holder farmers and pastoralists, appearance of drug resistant microbes and/or helminthes and emergence & recurrence of certain diseases [17][18][19].…”