Comparative Acute And Sub-Acute Toxicity Of Methanol Extract Of Loranthus Micranthus Collected From Two Different Plants In Rats:- Eze, Treasure O

ABSTRACT Loranthus micranthus (African mistletoe) is a semi-parasitic plant found on host of evergreen and deciduous trees all year round. This study compared the acute toxicity and sub-acute effects on serum protein level, serum liver function markers and serum kidney function markers of methanol extracts of Loranthus micranthus leaves collected from two different plants in albino rats. The loranthus micranthus leaves were collected from kolanut and oil bean tree, the dried leaves were extracted using cold maceration method with 80% methanol. The extract was concentrated using hot air oven at 40 °C and the extract ofthe kolanut and oil-bean tree sources were labelled LMEK and LMEO respectively. The oral acute toxicity test was determined using up and down method and limited dose of 2000 mg/kg. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL) and conjugate bilirubin (CBIL) which are liver markers, also creatinine and urea which are kidney function markers, were determined at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the extracts (LMEK and LMEO) and compared to control treated with 5% DMSO (Dimethylsulfur oxide) (5 ml/kg). There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in AST activity of the group treated with 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg in LMEK than LMEO which showed no significant difference when compared with the negative control. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the activities of ALP in LMEO (200 mg/kg) and LMEK (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) when compared with the negative control. The extract produced a significant (P<0.05) increase of albumin in LMEO (400 mg/kg) and LMEK (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). The extracts LMEO produced decrease in TBIL (400mg/kg), DBIL (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and CBIL (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) while LMEK also produced decrease in TBIL (400 mg/kg) and DBIL (400 mg/kg) with no significant (<0.05) difference in CBIL. The extract produced a significant (<0.05) decrease in creatinine level of the group treated with LMEO (400 mg/kg) when compared with the negative control group, no significant decrease was produced in creatinine and urea level of the groups treated with LMEK when compared with the negative control group. In conclusion, these findings are of clinical relevance considering the use ofthis plant.