TOXICOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF AnonnamuricataLEAF EXTRACT IN MALE AND FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Traditional medicine is an ancient medical practice thatis still widely employed in the prevention and treatment of varioushealth problems worldwide. Many of the modern pharmaceuticalsare derived from medicinal herbs. The medicinal uses of theAnnonaceae family were reported from time past and due to its bioactivity and traditional uses. Ethnobotanical studies have indicated that Anonnamuricata has been used to ameliorate many disease conditions. Therefore, scientific approach needs to be applied towards thesafety and effectiveness of this plant in managingailments. The aim of this study was, therefore, toinvestigate the safety/toxicity of the aqueous extract of Anonnamuricataleaf extract in male and female albino rats.The tested doses of the extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight did not cause any behavioral change and mortality in both sexes. Toxicity evaluation of 14, 28 and 90 days treatment with the extract did not cause any sign of toxicity and had no adverse effect on the body weights of the albino rats.The tested doses of the extract did notaffect the haematological parameters (MCV, MCH and MCHC), total RBC count and HB indicating that it does not cause anemia. The serum uric acid and creatinineconcentration of the treated rats were not significantly different from (p<0.05) the control. The slight histopathological changes observed in some organs, were not accompanied by changes in the biochemical markers. Fatty change, hydropic degeneration, fibrosis, and vascular abnormalities such as congestion of the central veins and liver sinusoids usually seen in hepatotoxicity were not seen in the treated groups. A. muricataleaf extractmay be regarded as non-toxic with minimal adverse effect on the tested organs of male and female albino rats at different doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract.The results of this study revealed that methanol leaf extract of Anonnamuricatamay be safe even when taken for a longer period (90 days).