Sub-acute toxicity evaluation of ethanol extract of rheumatic tea formula (a polyherbal tea) in wistar rats

Abstract

Sub-acute toxicity profile of Rheumatic Tea Formula (RTF), a polyherbal tea  consisting of Salix alba, Eucalyptus globulus and  Albizia chevalieri was investigated in wistar rats of both sexes. Wistar rats were orally administered three different doses of   ethanol extract of RTF for 28 days after which the effect on body weight, feed consumption, water intake, liver and kidney   functions as well as haematological parameters were evaluated. Also evaluated was the histolopathogical effect of the extract on the liver, kidney, spleen and stomach. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced body weight, feed consumption and water  intake in rats. On liver function, there was no significant effect of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate   Aminotransferase (AST); however there was significant (p < 0.05) elevation of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). No significant effect (p > 0.05) on kidney function indices was observed. There was also no significant effect (p > 0.05) on  haematological   parameters, except for WBC differentials where there was significant (p <0.05) elevation of lymphocytes and decrease in   neutrophils. The extract was relatively non-toxic on kidney, liver, spleen, and stomach in the histopathological evaluations. The present study suggests that RTF extract might have no serious deleterious effect on sub-acute administration.

Keywords: Rheumatic Tea Formula, sub-acute toxicity, liver, kidney, blood, wistar rats.