Published April 30, 2024 | Version http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJTPR/14/IJTPR,Vol14,Issue4,Article20.pdf
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Acute and Repeated Toxicity Assessment of a Stem Cell Polyherbal Remedy (PHR)

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Nigeria
  • 2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Description

Several polyherbal remedies (PHR) are used in the treatment of various diseases, but there is dearth of information about their safety. This study assessed the toxicological impact of a PHR on haematological, biochemical and organs histology. Acute toxicity test was done using the Up and Down procedure. In repeated toxicity test, the PHR was administered to the test animals intraperitoneally at low dose (258.3 mg/kg), medium dose (516.6 mg/kg) and high dose (1033.3 mg/kg). The control group received the vehicle (5 ml/kg). At the end of administration, animals were fasted overnight, sacrificed and samples were collected for haematological, biochemical and histological analyses using standard methods. Acute toxicity test revealed no death at 5000 mg/kg (an indication that LD50>5000 mg/kg). There was no significant alteration (p>0.05) in body weight and organs weight, except significant (p<0.05) increase in liver and kidney weight at medium dose. There was a significant reduction in hemoglobin at the three dose levels, and significant increase in platelet count at medium and high doses. The PHR posed no deleterious effects on lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, electrolytes, blood glucose, body weight, and histology of the liver, heart, pancreas, spleen, testes, and lung. Only slight distortion in kidney histology was observed at high dose when compared to control group. The results of the study revealed that the PHR is safe following single dose administration, but double of therapeutic dose, as well as repeated administration above the 2 weeks may cause platelet aggregation.

Abstract (English)

Several polyherbal remedies (PHR) are used in the treatment of various diseases, but there is dearth of information about their safety. This study assessed the toxicological impact of a PHR on haematological, biochemical and organs histology. Acute toxicity test was done using the Up and Down procedure. In repeated toxicity test, the PHR was administered to the test animals intraperitoneally at low dose (258.3 mg/kg), medium dose (516.6 mg/kg) and high dose (1033.3 mg/kg). The control group received the vehicle (5 ml/kg). At the end of administration, animals were fasted overnight, sacrificed and samples were collected for haematological, biochemical and histological analyses using standard methods. Acute toxicity test revealed no death at 5000 mg/kg (an indication that LD50>5000 mg/kg). There was no significant alteration (p>0.05) in body weight and organs weight, except significant (p<0.05) increase in liver and kidney weight at medium dose. There was a significant reduction in hemoglobin at the three dose levels, and significant increase in platelet count at medium and high doses. The PHR posed no deleterious effects on lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, electrolytes, blood glucose, body weight, and histology of the liver, heart, pancreas, spleen, testes, and lung. Only slight distortion in kidney histology was observed at high dose when compared to control group. The results of the study revealed that the PHR is safe following single dose administration, but double of therapeutic dose, as well as repeated administration above the 2 weeks may cause platelet aggregation.

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Dates

Accepted
2024-04-26

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http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJTPR/14/IJTPR,Vol14,Issue4,Article20.pdf

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