Acute, sub-acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies of four important Nigerian ethnomedicinal plants in rats

Abstract Background Azadirachta indica , Khaya senegalensis Anogeissus leiocarpus and Tamarindus are important ethnomedicinal plants used for health mitigation since the history of mankind. They discretionarily in folkloric medicine on premise that they natural products devoid synthetic preservatives. However, nature endows with metabolites warding off potential attacks from animals environment. Some these responsible toxicity some plants. Furthermore, drug-induced liver injuries nephrotoxicity leading causes pharmaceutical attrition promising drug candidates clinical trials. Thus, we aimed to evaluate safety four short-, medium- long-term usage. Methods Rats dosed once 5000 mg/kg extracts each served as acute study (AS) while rats daily 2000 2, 12 14 weeks sub-acute (SAS), sub-chronic (SCS) chronic (CS) studies, respectively. administered distilled water negative control (NC). Results A. T. significantly reduced percentage weight gain SCS compared NC. ( P < 0.05) increased transaminases alkaline phosphatase AS only; total protein (TP) AS, SAS, CS K. alanine aminotransferase but decreased TP only globulin aspartate transaminase only. Whereas urea creatinine than CS; Na + K were higher studies The histological lesions seen ranged cellular degeneration, congestion, fibrosis necrosis. Conclusion nonlethal, reversible toxic insults occur short-term usage (AS); while, insidious lethal effects medium-term (SAS) (SCS CS). ability plant maintain adequate hematological parameters, bodyweight absence mortality may explain free preparations made medicine.