Acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of the tuber of kedrostis (L.) Cogn in Wistar rats.pdf

<div>Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn (Cucurbitaceae) is used in South African traditional medicine and pharmacopoeia</div><div>as an emetic, purgative and diuretic, and it is used against dropsy in the management of obesity.</div><div>Aim of the study: In this study, acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of K. africanatuber was evaluated</div><div>in male and female Wistar rats in order to assess its safety profile.</div><div>Materials and methods: In acute toxicity, the effects of a single oral dose (2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg) of aqueous</div><div>extract was determined in both sexes. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined for 3 h</div><div>and then periodically for 14 days. The subchronic toxicity test was performed in rats. The effects of the extract</div><div>in daily single oral administration at the doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg for 28 days were determined. Food</div><div>and water intakes were monitored daily while body weight was monitored on a weekly bases. Hematological,</div><div>biochemical and organ parameters were determined at the end of the 28-day administration.</div><div>Results: In the acute study, a single administration of the aqueous extract at the doses of 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg</div><div>did not induce mortality. Thus, the LD50 of the aqueous extract of K. africana (AEKA) has been estimated to be</div><div>higher than 5,000 mg/kg. In the subchronic study, daily oral administration of the AEKA did not result in death</div><div>of the rats or significant changes in hematological or biochemical parameters at the highest dose of 600 mg/kg.</div><div>No alteration was observed in body weight, food and water intake. Liver, kidney and heart histopathology did</div><div>not reveal morphological alteration.</div><div>Conclusions: The results showed that the aqueous tuber extract of K. africana did not cause any death, nor did</div><div>it cause abnormalities in necropsy and histopathology findings. There were no acute or subchronic toxicity</div><div>observed, and this indicates that the plant extract could be considered safe for oral medication.