Short term safety profile of methanol stem bark extract of <i>Ficus vallis-choudae</i> (Moraceae) in mice and rats

Abstract

The study evaluated the toxicological profile of methanol stem bark extract of Ficus vallis-choudae in animal models. The oral acute and sub-chronic toxicity of the 70 % methanolic extract was investigated through the OECD guidelines by examination of mortality rate, body and organ weight changes, and biomarkers of hepatic and renal functions. The LD50 was higher than 5000 mg/kg (p.o) and the result of haematological parameters determination after 28days daily graded doses (1000 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) administration of FvMSE did not show significant difference from that of the distilled water group. No significant effect (p > 0.05) on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on serum total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (ALB) and creatinine (CREA) levels for all treatment groups. There was a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in respect of sodium electrolytes at 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses for FvMSE administered groups compared to the distilled water group. The result revealed that FvMSE doses did not produced significant change in relative organs weight compared to distilled water treated groups. Histopathological examinations revealed slight hepatic necrosis, slight myocardial necrosis and slight hyperplasia of inflammatory cells in the kidney of the FvMLE treated rats after 28 days of daily oral administration. The slight changes observed in the organs though not accompanied by any significant change in the biochemical markers of measured liver and kidney injury may still constitute a source of concern as to the safety profile of the extracts especially in long term use.