Safety and Analgesic Properties of Ethanolic Extracts of Toddalia Asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) Used for Central and Peripheral Pain Management Among the East African Ethnic Communities

BACKGROUND Although herbs are often perceived as "natural" and therefore safe, many different side effects have been reported. Additionally, there is limited scientific evidence to establish the safety and efficacy of most herbal products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and haematological effects of Toddaliaasiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) (T. asiatica (L.) in albino Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The phytochemicals present in the plant were determined. The analgesic activity was determined using the hot plate technique. The whole blood with anticoagulant was used for assay of the haematological parameters using the COULTERAc•T5diff AL Hematology Analyzer (Fullerton, CA, USA). The biochemical parameters determined with HumaLyzer 2000, a semi-automatic, microprocessor-controlled photometer fromchem-labs, Nairobi. RESULTS The effect of extract on serum biochemical parameters after 14 days treatment with the crude ethanolic extract of T. asiatica (L.) revealed significant difference in the Cholesterol (P = 0.041), alanine transaminase (P = 0.007), gamma-glutamyl transferase (P = 0.045). There was no significance in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) levels compared to the untreated controls. Peripheral blood films (PBFs) of the treated animals were performed and stained with leishman's stain. Major morphological changes were observed including anisocytosis, burr cells, anisochromia, hypochromia and reactive lymphocytes among others. CONCLUSION The crude extract of T. asiatica (L.) showed better analgesic effect (28.2±13.16) than Acetylsalicylate used as control (4±0.31). The potential of T. asiatica (L.) asananalgesic was remarkable. However, the crude extract of T. asiatica (L.) induced nephrotoxicity and liver enzymes modulation and elevated total cholesterol in the test organisms compared to the untreated negative controls.