Toxicological implications of the fruit of Harungana madagascariensis on wistar rats

Abstract

Abstract Background The unopened buds of the fruit of Harungana madagascariensis is used in the treatment of anaemia and skin diseases in traditional medicine. Hence, this study aims to scientifically evaluate the effects of oral administration of the fruit extract of Harungana madagascariensis on haematological, biochemical and histological parameters in Wistar rats. Methods Phytochemical screening of the ethanol fruit extract of H. madagascariensis was carried out. Acute toxicity test was done using Lorke’s method. Sub-acute toxicity studies were done using 24 rats of both sexes which were randomized into four groups of six rats each. Animals in groups A, B, C were administered with the extract at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively while group D animals were given distilled water (5 mg/kg) and served as the control group. All administrations were done through the oral route for 30 consecutive days. Body weights of the animals were taken weekly during the study. The animals were sacrificed under diethyl ether anaesthesia and blood samples collected for evaluation of haematological (red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and white blood cell) and biochemical (alanine transferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and total protein) parameters. Histological examination was conducted on the liver and kidney of the animals. Results Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, steroidal nucleus, saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and tannins. Acute toxicity test showed that the LD50 was greater than 5000 mg/kg. There was no statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the RBC, HB, PCV and WBC of the extract treated groups when compared to the control group. There was however, a statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in the creatinine level of the 500 mg/kg extract –treated group and the control. There was no statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference in other biochemical parameters of the extract treated groups and the control group except for a marginal increase in the total protein in the group treated with 1000 mg/kg of the extract (60 g/L) compared with control (54.80 g/L). Histopathological examination showed alterations in the morphology of the liver and kidney in extract treated groups as compared to the control groups. Conclusion The findings have revealed that the ethanol fruit extract of H. madagascariensis should be used with caution especially during prolonged usage as the histology showed it has nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic potentials. Further studies will be done to establish the effects of the extract on white blood cells.