Comparative Toxicity of Trichodesma africanum and Rhanterium epapposum Aerial Parts Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts on Wistar Rats

• Published in: Journal of pharmacology & toxicology Vol. 7; no. 3; pp. 128 - 139
• Main Authors: Adam, Shama I.Y., Adam, S.E.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Trichodesma
• ISSN: 1816-496X; 2152-100X
• DOI: 10.3923/jpt.2012.128.139

The effects on rats of the aqueous and methanol extracts prepared from Rhanterium epapposum and Trichodesma africanum aerial parts, given at different dose levels (300, 75 mg/kg/day) and by different routes of administration (orally or intra muscularly (i.m.) were investigated. The results indicated that the plant extracts are toxic and lethal to rats by whatever route (oral or im) it was given. The characteristic features of toxicity from aerial parts of R. epapposum and T. africanum were hepatonephrotoxicity, leukocytosis due to lymphocytosis or leukopenia due to neutropenia and anaemia. The anaemia was macrocytic normochromic, as indicated by the high Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and normal Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) values. These changes were evidenced by alterations in Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and in total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol and urea concentrations. The occurrence of myositis brought about by the plant methanol extract given via intra muscular route probably contributed to the increase in AST activity. As conclude that the two extracts of both plant were toxic in both routs of administration and that, their toxicity result from the fact they contain chemical compound capable of damaging tissues and cells.