Evaluation of In Vivo Toxicity of Dichloromethane: Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Prosopis juliflora in Female Wistar Albino Rats
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Date
2016
Authors
Osano, K.O.
Nyamai, D.W.
Ogola, R.O.
Arika, W.M.
Bina, M.W.
Mburu, D.N.
Ngugi, M.P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
OMICS International
Abstract
Prosopis juliflora (Mathenge) is an exotic, evergreen leguminous plant found in the dry Coastal, Rift Valley and
Northern parts of Kenya. It is tolerant to extreme environmental conditions, rated among top 100 most invasive
species worldwide. The species leaf extracts is used in folk cure to various ailments and have promising
pharmacological properties however; information on their toxicity in animals and human is insufficient. The study
assessed phytochemical composition of P. juliflora leaf extracts, effects on body weights, organ weights,
hematological parameters, liver function markers and histopathology in major organs of Wistar albino rats. Acute
toxicity test was carried out at 2000 mg/kg body weight followed by a 28 days sub chronic toxicity study at 100, 350
and 1000 mg/kg body weight extracts dosages. The control animals were administered with normal saline. Animals
were monitored for physical and behavioral changes including death. They were fasted overnight on 28th day and
sacrificed on anesthesia on 29th day. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Hematological and liver functions
tests were done. Tissue sample of selected organs were processed for histopathology. Data from control and treated
animals groups were analyzed by ANOVA and Dunnett’s test. Phytochemicals confirmed included alkaloids,
flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids and saponnins but no cardiac glycosides. Median lethal dose was estimated
at above 2000 mg/kg body weight. Dose related transient toxicity symptoms included wheezing, decreased activity,
and pilo erection. No significant toxicity effects on hematological parameters were noticed except in mean platelets
volume. Similarly, no significant adverse effects occurred in liver function tests except at 1000 mg/kg body weight
dosage. No significant adverse changes in plasma proteins, body weights and absolute organ weights were
observed except in kidneys and spleen. Histological examination of sample tissues showed mild effects in spleen
and kidneys but no adverse pathology in other organ tissues
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Prosopis juliflora, Toxicity, Haematology, Histopathology
Citation
Osano KO, Nyamai DW, Ogola PE, Ouko RO, Arika WM, et al. (2016) Evaluation of In Vivo Toxicity of Dichloromethane: Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Prosopis juliflora in Female Wistar Albino Rats. J Drug Metab Toxicol 7: 200. doi:10.4172/2157-7609.1000200