Toxicological Evaluation of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Momordica charantia and Euphorbia hirta in Rats.
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Date
2008-08-15
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Abstract
There is a pressing need to make available scientifically tested herbal medicines to smallholder livestock farmers for increased livestock production in Ghana. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Linn), Momordica charantia (Linn) and Euphorbia hirta (Linn) are plants used for treating various diseases in both humans and livestock in African folkloric medicine. Extracts of these medicinal plants were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus and Klebsiella sp isolated from animals in livestock markets in the Greater Accra region. Aqueous extracts of the plants were screened for the presence of plant compounds and also compared with orthodox antibiotics used in veterinary practice for their activity against the test organisms. The extracts showed higher antibacterial activity compared to most orthodox antibiotics. Major plant chemicals including; alkaloids, reducing sugars, saponins, flavonoids, polyuronides and sterol triterpenes were found to be present. Acute and 14-day subacute toxicity studies of the aqueous extracts of the dried roots of C. sanguinolenta, the leaf extracts of M. charantia and whole plant extracts of Euphorbia hirta were carried out per os in rats. Effects of the crude extracts of the plants on body weights, relative weights of vital body organs, liver and kidney function, haematology and histopathological effects were evaluated. The crude extracts did not produce toxicity in rats after oral doses of up to 3000 mg/kg body weight. Biochemical analyses of renal and hepato-biliary function following treatment by the crude extracts of the three plants did not show any signs of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, as confirmed by histopathological examination. Treatment with the crude extracts did not alter haematological parameters in relation to the control groups. The result suggest that the aqueous extracts of the dried roots of C. sanguinolenta, the leaves extracts of M charantia and whole plant extracts of E. hirta up to mg/kg are safe and tolerated by rats.
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A thesis submitted to the College of Health Sciences, 2008