91-day Oral Toxicity Evaluation of a Herbal Preparation Used in the Management of Breast Tumour in Southwestern Nigeria using Mice

摘要

Joloo is a traditional herbal formulation used in the management of tumour of the breast in southwestern Nigeria. The acute and subchronic toxicity studies of Joloo have been reported previously but the chronic toxicity has not been investigated. The study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term toxic effect of Joloo on mice. Ethanolic extract of Joloo was administered to four groups of mice weighing 27.5±1.4 (N = 10/group) Repeated doses (400, 800 and 1600 mg kg"1 b.wt.) were administered orally for 91 days. Parameters observed include, body and relative organ weights, haematology, biochemical analysis, antioxidant activities and histologic studies. There were no adverse effects on the general condition, body and relative organ weight, red blood cells and white blood cell. However there were significant increase in leucocytes, GPx, CAT and SOD at 800 and 1600 mg kg"1 b.wt. The histoarchitecture of the liver, heart and the spleen revealed slight alteration (mild necrosis) and there was dose-dependent though insignificant increase in some of the biochemical analytes (ALT and AST) at 1600 mg kg~l b.wt. Based on these findings it can be inferred that Joloo is devoid of toxicity at 400 and 800 mg kg"1 b.wt. and possess strong antioxidant activities, whereas high dose (1600 mg kg"1 b.wt.) may be associated with some toxicity concerns.