Acute oral toxicity study of the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of the trunk of Albizia ferruginea (Mimosaceae) (Guill. & Perr.) Benth in Wistar albino rats

ABSTRACT Objective: The study conducted aimed at contributing to the assessment of the acute oral toxicity of the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of the trunk of Albizia ferruginea (Mimosaceae) (Guill. & Perr.) Benth in Wistar albino rats. Material and methods: The acute oral toxicity of the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of the trunk of Albizia ferruginea was assessed according to OECD Guideline 420 on 15 male Wistar albino rats. After 12 h of fasting, they were divided into 3 groups of 5 rats each as follows: a control group receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg); two test groups each receiving a single dose of the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of the trunk of Albizia ferruginea (2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg respectively). The behavioral reactions were observed for 4 hours and the rats were left under observation for 14 days to determine possible cases of death, weight development, water and food intake and the relative weight of various vital organs.Results: Oral administration of a single dose of 2000 mg/kg or 5000 mg/kg of the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of the trunk of Albizia ferruginea to rats did not cause any significant change in rat behavior or death. The LD50 was therefore estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. At each of the above doses, there was no change in weight development, water and food intake and the relative weight of the different organs (liver, lungs and kidneys) during the 14 days of the experiment. Conclusion: The study showed that the total aqueous extract of the dry bark of the trunk of Albizia ferruginea has an LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight and may be devoid of toxic effects. It would therefore be favorable for the production of an improved traditional drug after preclinical and clinical trials.Key words: Albizia ferruginea, acute toxicity, traditional drug, dry bark, LD50, rats