Cytotoxicity and Hepatic Effects in Vivo of the Phytomedicinal Antipalu Used by the Population of Abidjan

Antipalu is a phytomedicinal medicinal beverage that is popular in the District of Abidjan, particularly for the treatment of malaria. However, Antipalu could present potential health effects on patients, and few toxicological studies have been conducted before its use. In order to determine the cytotoxicity of Antipalu, two complementary tests, LDH activity and the MTT cell proliferation assay, were used using Vero cells. Vero cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of Antipalu and incubated for 24, 48 and 72 hours. In addition, forty (40) rats distributed randomly into 4 groups, including 10 animals per group (5 males and 5 females) were used for the potential hepatoxic effects. Animals in group 1 received distilled water and were used as a control group. On the other hand, Lot I, II and III received by gavage a volume of the Antipalu extract corresponding to 1 ml/100 g of body weight at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, respectively. The extract was administered daily at the same time for 28 days and serum was collected once a week to evaluate hepatic biochemical markers. After 28 days of study, all rats were euthanized by an overdose of ether and the liver of the rats was removed for gross morphological and histopathological analysis. The results of the cell supernatant assay showed an increasing extracellular LDH enzyme activity with lethal concentrations at 10% and 50% (LC₁₀ = 111 μg/mL and LC₅₀ = 555 μg/mL, respectively). In addition, the MTT assay showed a decrease in mitochondrial activity and thus cell proliferation after 24, 48 and 72 H of incubation. Our study showed that Antipalu caused alterations in the plasma membranes of the cells, resulting in the release of lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) into the external environment and a decrease in the mitochondrial activity of the Vero cells. The biochemical parameters ALT, ASAT, ALPs, and GGT showed no significant change (P > 0.05) in the group of treated rats compared to the controls. However, these variations were moderate and transient, with values remaining almost within their standard limits. Microscopic observations of liver tissue sections from rats treated with the Antipalu showed no lesions, edema and necrosis. These results suggest that the Antipalu did not interfere with the functioning or alter the integrity of the liver.