TOXICITY OF STEM-BARK EXTRACT OF <i>STEGANOTAENIA ARALIACEA</i> IN RATS

Abstract

The stembark of Steganotaenia araliacea is used as a diuretic as insect repellant, antimalarial, analgesic. The LD50 and histopathological effects of the plant extract on rats was carried-out . In the acute toxicity study male rats were administered (IP) 0.5.1.0,1.5,2.0.2.5 g/kg body weight of the methanolic extract of the plant. The LD50 was found to be 1.75g/kg. The histopathological findings in examined organs showed relative toxicty in the order: intestine > liver> kidney. No acute toxic effects were seen in the pancreas, spleen and stomach. Doses of 1.0g/kg and higher induced necrosis, vascular congestion and degenerative changes in a dose-dependent manner. Death resulted from acute hepatotoxicity and necrotic lesions, widespread necrosis and desquamation of the epithelia cells of the intestine, pulmonary oedema and glomerulonephritis of the kidney. This finding reveals the unsuitability of the stem-bark methanolic extract for human therapy. Hence, it is not considered safe at all the various dose levels used.


Key Words: Steganotaenia araliacea; Umbelliferae; Stembark extract; rats; acute toxicity; Histopathology.


Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol.7 2003: 65-67