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Evaluation of toxicity
profile of leaf base extract of Sorghum bicolor in
rat
F. C. Nwinyi1*, H. O. Kwanashie1,
A. A. Ahmad2 and L. E. Odama3
1Department
of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello
University Main Campus, P. M. B 1045, Zaria 810271, Kaduna
State, Nigeria.
2Department
of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Main Campus, P. M.
B. 1045, Zaria 810271, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
3Department
of Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for
Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu
Industrial Area, P. M. B 21, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
fchyme@yahoo.co.uk.
Tel: +234-802 321 5755.
Accepted
11 November, 2008 |
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The toxicity profile of 70% methanolic extract of Sorghum
bicolor leaf base widely used in ethnomedicine was
evaluated in male rats treated daily for 28 days using 100 –
400 mg/kg p. o. doses. No adverse clinical signs were
observed. There was no significant change in the feed
intake, body weight and relative organ weight except the
significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weight of kidneys and
increase in relative weight of the testes observed at doses
of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. No gross or
histopathological changes were seen in the kidneys, heart,
spleen, lungs, liver and testes. No significant effect was
observed in the haematological indices (packed cell volume,
heamoglobin, total and differential white blood cells),
hepatic function indices (glutamate oxaloacetate
transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, direct
bilirubin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin,
total protein) as well as renal function indices (urea and
creatinine). Uric acid was however reduced significantly (P
< 0.05). Study of effect on serum lipid profile showed no
significant effect on cholesterol but a significant
reduction of triglyceride at 200 mg/kg p. o. dose. The
results suggest that S. bicolor leaf extract is
relatively safe.
Key
words:
Sorghum
bicolor,
organ weight, pathology, haematology, serum biochemistry. |
