Toxicological studies of aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica root

Acacia nilotica is a widely used plant in traditional medical practice in Northern Nigeria and many African countries. The aim of this study was to determine the toxicological effects of a single dose (acute) and of repeated doses (sub-acute) administration of aqueous extract of A. nilotica root in rodents, following our earlier study on antiplasmodial activity. In the acute toxicity test, three groups of Swiss albino mice were orally administered aqueous extract of A. nilotica (50, 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight) and signs of toxicity were observed daily for 14 days. In the sub-acute toxicity study, four groups of 12 rats (6 male and 6 female) were used. Group 1 received 10 ml/kg b.w distilled water (control), while groups 2, 3 and 4 received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w of the extract, respectively, for 28 consecutive days by oral gavage. Signs of toxicity/mortality, food and water intake and body weight changes were observed. Biochemical parameters were analysed in both plasma and liver homogenate. In the acute and sub-acute toxicity studies, the extract did not cause mortality. A significant reduction in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase was observed at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w, while alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly higher than control values at 500 mg/kg b.w. The aqueous extract of A. nilotica was found to be safe in single dose administration in mice but repeated administration of doses higher than 250 mg/kg b.w of the extract for 28 days in rats may cause hepatotoxicity.

Antimalarial activity of fractions of aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica root

BACKGROUND

The problem of resistance of malarial parasites to available antimalarial drugs makes the development of new drugs imperative, with natural plant products providing an alternative source for discovering new drugs.

AIM

To evaluate the antimalarial activity of eluted fractions of Acacia nilotica root extract and determine the phytochemicals responsible for its antimalarial activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extract was eluted successively in gradients of solvent mixture (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) in multiples of 100 ml, and each fraction was collected separately. Eluates that showed similar thin layer chromatographic profiles and Rf values were combined to produce 4 main fractions (F-1, F-2, F-3, and F-4), which were tested separately for antimalarial activity using the curative test. Changes in body weight, temperature, and packed cell volume (PCV) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Fraction F-1 of A. nilotica at 50 and 100 mg/kg b/w produced significant and dose-dependent reduction in parasite count in Plasmodium berghei infected mice compared to the control, and also significantly increased the survival time of the mice compared to the control group. This fraction also ameliorated the malaria-induced anemia by improving PCV in treated mice.

CONCLUSION

Antimalarial activity of extract of A. nilotica root is probably localized in the F-1 fraction of the extract, which was found to be rich in alkaloids and phenolics. Further study will provide information on the chemical properties of the active metabolites in this fraction.

Repeated oral administration of Febi super bitters correlated with some tissue toxicity in male Wistar rat

This study investigated the toxic implication of Febi Super Bitters in Male Wistar rats because of upsurge in its usage for therapeutic reasons. Eighteen rats, with an average weight of 86.2 +/- 4.43 g, were randomly distributed into three equal groups of six rats per group. The rats were acclimatized for 14 days and 0.308 and 0.462 mL kg(-1) b.wt. of Febi super bitters were administered daily to groups B and C, respectively for 56 days, while group A received distilled water. The toxicity of the herbal bitter was assessed by determining the activities of Lactate Dehydrogenate (LDH), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Acid Phosphatase (ACP) in the liver, kidney, small intestine, heart, brain, lungs, spleen, serum and histological studies on the organs. The activities of LDH were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the liver, small intestine and lung, while it increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the brain and serum. ALP activities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the liver, kidney, small intestine and heart but increased (p < 0.05) in brain, spleen and serum. ACP activities in the liver and kidney were decreased (p<0.05) and increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the spleen and serum. Increases were significantly recorded in serum total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, total protein and globulin, while reductions were recorded in the conjugated bilirubin and A/G (p < 0.05). Histoarchitecture of the lungs, spleen and small intestine revealed marked cellular distortions. In the light of these findings, the habitual consumption of Febi super bitters is not recommended as it has underlined toxicity in some vital internal organs.