Abstract
Purpose: To determine the dose –
toxicity profile of the aqueous extract of Nauclea
latifolia stem bark (AQE).
Methods: Oncin France Souche A (OFA)
rats were orally administered with AQE at doses of 1.8,
18 and 180 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. In parallel,
oral acute toxicity test in Swiss mice was performed
with AQE at doses of 2, 4, 8 and 18g/kg body weight.
Blood, urine and other biochemical markers were assessed
for the rats.
Results: No death was observed after
14 days of single oral administration, and hence the LD50
was > 18g/kg body weight. For sub-acute toxicity in OFA
rats, an elevation of some blood parameters (platelets
and erythrocytes but also eosinophils) in contrast to
the low serum concentrations of biochemical markers such
as aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and creatinine were
recorded in rats treated with 18 and 180 mg/kg body
weight. Urine analysis showed high depletion of sodium
and potassium ions coupled with high loss of water.
Conclusion: Known for its diuretic
property, the AQE could be beneficial against anemia and
may favor blood coagulation but unfortunately may
exhibit allergenic properties and cause inflammatory
reactions. This study suggests the
no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of AQE range
between 1.8 and 18 mg/kg body weight in OFA rats.
Keywords: Nauclea latifolia, Renal
excretion, Hematological parameters, Biomarkers,
Allergy, Inflammation, Diuretic, Toxicity.
