Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity assessment of the methanol root extract of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae) in mice and rats

0578664 - ÚEB 2024 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Adekunle, Y. A. - Samuel, B. B. - Ezeuduji, J. U. - Adedokun, O. A. - Oluyemi, W. M. - Nahar, Lutfun - Fatokun, A. A. - Sarker, S. D.
Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity assessment of the methanol root extract of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae) in mice and rats.
South African Journal of Botany. Roč. 163, DEC (2023), s. 157-164. ISSN 0254-6299. E-ISSN 1727-9321
Institutional support: RVO:61389030
Keywords : Acute toxicity * Medicinal plants * Olacaceae * Olax subscorpioidea * Sub-acute toxicity
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 3.1, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.10.051

Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. is an important medicinal plant included in African traditional anticancer medicines. Little information about its safety and toxicity appears in the literature. This study thus aimed at evaluating the safety of its methanol root extract orally administered in laboratory animals. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometric analysis of O. subscorpioidea extract was conducted. For acute toxicity, methods within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines were used, with slight modifications. A single female mouse was orally administered a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight of O. subscorpioidea methanol root extract and was monitored for at least 24 h for any signs of toxicity or death. An additional four mice (n = 4, 2/sex) were similarly treated. Another female mouse was orally administered 5,000 mg/kg body weight and observed for at least 24 h. Additional four mice were similarly treated. For sub-acute toxicity, the extract was administered daily to Wistar rats for 21 days at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1,000 mg/kg. General behaviours changes, haematological, biochemical, and histological examinations on rats’ organs were performed. The FTIR spectrum showed no peaks in the 2220–2260 cm−1 region, suggesting that no cyanide groups were present in the extract. A single oral dose at both 2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg did not induce any signs of toxicity or mortality, indicating an oral median lethal dose (LD50) >5000 mg/kg. When compared to the controls, dose-dependent changes were observed in the red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg (p<0.05). Histopathological examinations showed severe vascular congestion in the liver, and interstitial congestion and haemorrhage with moderate glomerular damage in the kidney. This study showed O. subscorpioidea root's methanol extract as non-toxic in acute administration, but with potential for toxicity in sub-acute oral administration.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0347589