Toxicological evaluation and protective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia on gentamicin induced rat kidney injury

Objective To evaluate the toxic potential of Launaea taraxacifolia leaf extract (LTE) in rats within 14 d of oral administration and also assess the potential of LTE in protecting against kidney injury induced by gentamicin using rat model. Methods The protective ability of LTE was done after sub-acute toxicity evaluation has been carried out. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) was induced by gentamicin at a dose of 160 mg/kg intraperitoneal i.p. Parameters and indicators considered include mortality, clinical signs, body and organ weights, haematological and clinical chemistry parameters. Gross examination and histopathological assessment was also done on selected internal organs. Results There were no treatment-related deaths or changes in clinical signs, haematological and clinical chemistry indices during sub-acute toxicity studies with the exception of creatinine levels. This was confirmed by micrographs obtained from histopathological analysis. Co-administration of LTE with 160 mg/kg of gentamicin (i.p) markedly decreased the levels of urea and creatinine when compared to negative control group. Histological studies of kidney tissues showed an insignificant change in tubular epithelium in LTE plus gentamicin treated group compared to LTE treated only. Conclusions Data obtained show that ethanolic leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia is non-toxic within a 14 d administration at a maximum dose of 1 000 mg/kg bwt and also possesses the ability to protect against gentamicin-induced kidney damage in rats at a dose of 300 mg/kg bwt.

In vivo assessment of the toxic potential of Dissotis rotundifolia whole plant extract in Sprague–Dawley rats

Objective To assess the toxic potential of Dissotis rotundifolia (D. rotundifolia) whole plant extract in Spraque–Dawley rats within a 2-week period of administration. Methods Methanolic extract of D. rotundifolia was administered orally once daily at dose levels of 0, 100, 300 and 1 000 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Toxicity was assessed using mortality, clinical signs, body and organ weights, hematological indices, serum chemistry parameters and histopathological analyses. Results There were no treatment-related mortalities or differences in clinical signs, hematology and serum biochemistry. This was confirmed by micrographs obtained from histopathological analysis. Conclusions The results obtained from the sub-acute toxicological assessment of D. rotundifolia extract suggest that the extract is non-toxic at doses up to 1 000 mg/kg/day administered for a period of 14 days.