Acute toxicity and dose response studies of aqueous and ethanol extracts of triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum, (Sterculiaceae).

ABSTRACT

The acute toxicity and dose response studies of aqueous and 50% ethanol extracts of stem bark of Triplochiton scleroxylon were investigated in albino rats (Wistar strain) of average weight, 137.67g. Male albino rats were administered (p.o) extracts at the dose of 200, 500, 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight for 28 days respectively and activities of liver enzyme markers (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) determined using spectrophotometry. Kidneys, hearts and livers of experimental albino rats were subjected to histological examination after 28 days of administration of plant extracts. The lethal dose (LD50) was beyond 5000 mg/kg body weight for both extracts investigated as no signs of toxicity were observed even at larger doses. Dose response studies show a dose dependent increase (P<0.05) in the activities of liver enzyme markers in the plasma of rats and a dose dependent decrease in plasma glucose concentrations (P<0.05) on the 6th, 12th, 18th and 28th days of administration of extracts to test rats when compared to control. 200 mg/kg body weight was the safest dose for both extracts as no adverse histological changes were observed on the tissues examined. Substances that have hypoglycaemic properties with little or no side effects would be useful for and safe in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.