Acute and Subacute Toxicological Study of the Aqueous Extract of the Stem Bark of Khaya Grandifoliola (Meliaceae) in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the possible toxic effects of the water extract from Khaya grandifoliola stem bark in Wistar rats. The acute assay used 9 females distributed into 3 groups of 3 rats each. A control group received distilled water and the two test groups received by oral gavage a unique dose of the extract at 2000 mg/kg. In subacute assay, 60 rats both sexes were distributed into 6 groups of 10 rats each (5 males and 5 females) and received the extract by oral gavage for 28 days consecutively. The tests groups received extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The controls and satellite test groups received respectively distilled water and extract at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. Some anthropometrical, hematological and biochemical parameters were measured and histological sections of some organs were realized. LD50 was superior at 2000 mg/kg in acute assay. In subacute toxicity assay, Khaya grandifoliola stimulated the haematopoetic and immune function, showed a significant decrease of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and hypocholesterolaemic effects. Histopathology showed the presence of disturbances at the dose of 1000 mg/kg especially. K. grandifoliola stem bark could possess moderate toxicity at high doses and adequate caution should be exercised in its use in ethnomedicine.