EVALUATION OF SUB-ACUTE TOXICITY OF THE HYDRO-METHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF BURKEA AFRICANA IN ALBINO RATS

Terhemen Festus Swem; Patrick Emeka Aba; Samuel Chukwuneke Udem; Victor Masekaven Ahur; Fidelis Aondover Gberindyer

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v6i1.534

Terhemen Festus Swem Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Patrick Emeka Aba Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Samuel Chukwuneke Udem Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Victor Masekaven Ahur Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Fidelis Aondover Gberindyer Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

10.22270/ujpr.v6i1.534

Keywords:

Biochemical changes, gas chromatography, immunosuppression, medicinal plants, mass spectrometry, oxidative stress

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the sub-acute toxicity profile of hydro-methanol extract of Burkea africana (BA) stem bark in rats.

Methods: The stem bark of BA was extracted by cold maceration using 80% methanol. Twenty female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups of five rats each. Group 1 (only distilled water). Groups 2-4 received the extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) orally, once daily for 28 days. The rats were observed for signs of toxicity and the bodyweight (b.wt) of rats taken weekly. Blood samples were collected on day 28 for hematology and serum chemistry. Visceral organs were harvested for organ-somatic index and histopathology.

Results: There were no toxicity signs observed and no significant (p< 0.05) change in body weight but the pulmo-somatic index was significantly (p< 0.05) higher at 400 mg/kg compared with the control and other treated groups. Significant (p< 0.05) increase in PCV, RBC, and MCV and significant (p< 0.05) decrease in MCHC, Total WBC count, neutrophils and lymphocytes were observed. Also, there were significant (p< 0.05) decreases in ALT, total protein, globulin, total bilirubin of test groups when compared with the control group. Urea concentration of test groups significantly (p< 0.05) increased when compared with that of the control group.

Conclusions: BA stem bark extract can be said to have no deleterious effect on erythrocyte, but rather serve to improve erythropoiesis and also has no overt toxic effect on the visceral organs. Also the extract may have immunosuppressive and oxidative tendencies on prolong use.