Evaluation of In vivo Toxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Vernonia lasiopus (O. Hoffman)
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Date
2017
Authors
Musila, Michael N
Muthoni, Beatrice G
Koech, Samson C
Ngugi, Mathew P
Mbinda, Wilton M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hilaris Publishing
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo toxicity of methanolic leaf extract of Vernonia
lasiopus. To provide information on the safety of V. lasiopus, we evaluated its acute and sub-chronic toxicity in
Wistar rats. For evaluation of acute toxicity of the plant extract, five Wistar rats were orally dosed with 2000 mg/kg
body weight sequentially. Sub-chronic toxicity was tested in twenty Wistar rats using three extract doses 100, 300
and 1000 mg/kg body weight. They were orally administered for 28 days. Mortality and toxicity signs were monitored
during the study period. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, their internal organs weighed and
blood samples collected for haematology and biochemical analysis. In acute toxicity, no single death was reported;
leading to conclusion that the median lethal dose (LD50) of methanolic leaf extract of V. lasiopus is beyond 2000
mg/kg body weight. In sub-chronic toxicity studies, V. lasiopus lowered total proteins in all the study groups
significantly. Albumin was also lowered at extract dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight. In addition, it resulted to
significant neutropenia, lymphocytosis and thrombocytosis in the group administered with dose extract of 1000
mg/kg body weight (P˂0.05). It was therefore concluded that methanolic leaf extract of V. lasiopus is safe for use
when administered at therapeutic doses. The plant extract may also be useful in the management of haematological
disorders especially thrombocytopenia.
Description
A research article published in Journal of Pharmacognosy & Natural Products
Keywords
Vernonia lasiopus, Toxicity, Wistar rats, In vivo, Methanolic leaf extract
Citation
Mbinda, W. M., Ngugi, M. P., Koech, S. C., Muthoni, B. G., & Musila, M. N. (2017). Evaluation of In vivo Toxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Vernonia lasiopus (O. Hoffman).