Toxicological Evaluation Of Aqueous Leaf Extract Of Cnidoscolusaconitifolius In Rats:- Akachukwu, Doris

ABSTRACT z The phytochemical analysis and toxicological effects of the leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on animal species were investigated using acceptable biochemical and toxicological parameters. Phytochemical screening ofthe leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius revealed the presence oftannins, saponins, cyanide and crude protein at mean concentrations of 0.14%, 4.04%, 32.08pg/g and 23.62%. However, alkaloids and flavonoids were not identified. Aqueous extracts of fresh, oven-dried and air-dried leaves of C nidoscolus aconitifolius showed low toxic effect on brine shrimps as indicated by the LC50 of 963.829pg/ml, 571.478 jig/ml and 161.578pg/ml respectively. Acute toxicity test of the aqueous extract using mice showed no adverse effect on the animals even up to 7000mg/kg of oral' administration. Incorporation ofthe aqueous extract into diets of albino rats at 100,200 and 400mg/kg body weight for 7,14 and 28 days resulted in non-significant (P>0.05) effect on the relative organ weight. The total protein, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, platelet, RBC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils were not significantly (P>0.05) altered throughout the experiment. However, xiv monocytes were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in rat administered 100 and 200mg/kg body weight of extract on day 28. The 100 and 200mg/kg body weight ofthe extract increased the total and conjugated bilirubin only on day 14 of the experiment whereas on days 7 and 28, their concentrations were not altered. Histopathological studies showed that the organs ofthe comparable to those ofthe control indicating absence of organ damage. The results suggest that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is a potentially rich source of bioactive compounds and that the extract has low toxicity at the concentrations investigated.