Sub-chronic toxicity studies of methanolic root extract of <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i> (Jujube)

Abstract

Ziziphus mauritiana commonly called jujube in English is known to be used in traditional medicine to cure various diseases such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, wound healing, diarrhea, antiseptic, to mention few. Thus, toxicity studies are necessary to establish the safety of the plant. The present study aimed at determining the oral sub-chronic toxic effect of methanolic root extract of Z. mauritiana plant. Adult laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used for the study. Three different concentrations were administered orally for duration of 28 days. Food and water consumption, toxicity signs and mortality were observed daily and the mortality recorded. The body weight of each animal was monitored on weekly basis. Biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were analyzed to
evaluate the liver and kidney functions. There is significant change in the average weight of the animals over the period of time at P-value <0.05. Death was recorded at higher (1000mg/kg) and medium (500mg/kg) concentrations only, with LD₅₀ of 375mg/kg. There was no significant alteration in the biochemical parameters, however, there were slight abnormalities including slight vacuolation and hepatic necrosis, and slight tubular necrosis and hyperplasia of inflammatory cells in the histopathology of both liver and kidney respectively, for medium and higher treated group compared to control group. This indicated that daily repeated exposure to Ziziphus mauritiana root extract may be safer only at lower doses.