Subchronic toxicity study of ethanolic extract of Uvaria chamae root in rats

摘要

Purpose: To assess the safety of ethanol extract of Uvaria chamae root consumption for the treatment of diseases in traditional medicine. Methods: Uvaria chamae was extracted with ethanol, and administered orally to rats at doses ranging from 200 to 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days while distilled water was administered to the control group, the survived animals (43 %), were then euthanized, and blood collected for biochemical and haematological markers. Histopathological examination of the pancreas, liver and kidney sections were also done. Results: There was a significant (p 0.05) elevation in serum AST and a significant (p 0.05) reduction in LDH at 500 mg and 200 mg respectively. Serum BUN was significantly (p 0.05) reduced, while chloride and potassium ions were significantly (p 0.05) elevated at 200 and 500 mg respectively. However, there was a significant (p 0.05) decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCHC) at 200 mg, and a significant (p 0.05) increase in platelets at 500 mg/kg of extract. Examination of haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of pancreas showed well-formed islets; mild portal vascular congestion in liver sections; and periportal and interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes in the liver and kidney sections of the surviving animals respectively. Conclusion: The consumption of extract at low doses may not be harmful.