Indexed by Science Citation Index (SciSearch), International Pharmaceutical Abstract, Chemical Abstracts, Embase, Index Copernicus, EBSCO, African Index Medicus, JournalSeek, Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), African Journal Online, Bioline International, Open-J-Gate

ISSN: 1596-5996 (print); 1596-9827 (electronic)-


Home | Back Issues | Current Issue | Review manuscript | Submit manuscript

 
 

This Article

 

Abstract

 

Full-Text (PDF)

 

Table of contents

 

Comments

 

Letters

 

Comments to Editor

 

e-mail Alert

 

Sign Up

 

Research Article


 

Subacute Oral Toxicity Assessment of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach and Thonn) Müll Arg (Euphorbiaceae)  Extract in Rats

 

Charles  Ansah*, Emmanuel  Oppong and Eric Woode

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

 

For correspondence: E-mail: cansah.pharm@knust.edu.gh  Tel: +233 (0) 51 60372; Fax:  +233 (0) 51 60137
 

Received: 21 October 2010                                                              Revised accepted: 26 August 2011

 

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Oct 2011; 10(5): 587-594

http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v10i5.7  

Abstract

 

Purpose: To assess Alchornea cordifolia, a medicinal plant with numerous biological actions and uses in traditional medicine, for possible toxicity in rats. 

Methods: The probable effect of the ethanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia (250 - 2000 mg/kg, p.o.) by gavage was evaluated on blood cellular elements and chemistry, as well as on the weight and histology of vital organs of male adult Spraque-Dawley rats.

Results: Daily administration of the extract for two weeks did not cause significant changes in most haematological indices and blood chemistry. However, a dose-dependent increase (p < 0.01) in neutrophils was observed. Relative organ weights were comparable in control and treated groups. Histopathological assessment of liver sections of treated-rats showed normal architecture at doses < 1000 mg/kg. However, in animals treated with 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, cloudy swelling of hepatocytes with vacuolar and hydropic degeneration were evident. Kidney architecture at all dose levels was normal.

Conclusion: The results of the study show that administration of the ethanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia to male adult rats by gavage evoked histopathologic changes in the liver at doses > 1000 mg/kg. These findings call for caution in the use of Alchornea cordifolia especially in high doses.

 

Keywords:  Alchornea cordifolia, Rats, Subacute oral toxicity, Neutrophils, Hepatocytes, Hydropic denegeration

Copyright@2002-2010. Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City. All rights reserved.

Powered by Poracom E-mail: jmanager@poracom.net