Toxicological study on aqueous extract of Allanblackia froribunda (Clusiaceae) on rats

Aim: The acute and sub-acute toxic effects of aqueous extract of Allanblackia froribunda (Clusiaceae) were studied in rats. Methods: The acute toxicity was carried out orally with 0, 14, 16, 18 and 20 g kg-1 b/w and intraperitoneally with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mg kg-1 body weight, while the subacute was only carried out orally with 0(distilled water), 400, 500 and 600 mg kg-1 b/w for four weeks. Results: In acute test, the oral administration did not cause any death treatment related signs. The LD50 estimated to be 125 mg kg-1 (Intraperitoneal route). We noted a decrease in food, water consumption and body weight of treated animals. Diarrhea occurred in rats at dose 150 mg kg-1. Analysis of serum showed an increase in ALT at dose 50 mg kg-1 (p <0.05) and serum creatinine at doses 50 and 100 mg kg-1 (p <0.05 and p <0.01 respectively) while serum proteins decreased at dose 100 mg kg-1 (p <0.001). The histological changes of the main target organs (liver and lung) were observed while section of kidney and gonads remained normal (data not shown). In subacute treatment, neither significant difference was observed on body weight, food and water consumption nor organs and haematological parameters. The biochemical analysis showed that the level of ALT dose dependently decreased (p <0.01) at all doses in male and female while tissue creatinine decreased (p <0.05) only in female. Conclusion: These results suggest that the extract does not present danger orally, but parenteral administration is not recommended. [J Intercult Ethnopharmacol 2013; 2(1.000): 23-28]