Abstract
Objective To evaluate the histomorphological and toxicological changes in rodents after treatment with hydroethanolic extract of the Secamone afzelii aerial parts.
Materials and Methods An acute toxicity study on Swiss albino mice of both sexes was performed. Administration of a single dose of 2,000 mg/kg −1 of body weight (bwt) of S. afzelii extract by gavages to 5 mice showed no mortality; hence, a 1/10th dose was used as the highest therapeutic dose. The intra-peritoneal administration produced dose-dependent mortality, with median lethal dose (LD50 ) being ∼ 281.8 mg/kg −1 . In a subacute toxicity study, Wistar rats received daily administration of the extract in the dose range of 50 to 200 mg/kg bwt for 35 days. Its effects on histological, biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated.
Results There was an initial body weight decrease in all the treated animals in the first 7 days. Thereafter, increase in body weight was observed. The treated animals also exhibited organ weight increase when compared with the control. Statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in the extract treated animals, whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed a statistically insignificant (p ≥ 0.05) increase when compared with the control. Total plasma protein (TPP) and albumin (ALB) also exhibited insignificant (p ≥ 0.05) increases, while total bilirubin (T. BIL) decreased compared with the control. Insignificant (p ≥ 0.05) changes also occurred in the plasma creatinine and urea levels in the extract treated animals when compared with the control group. The liver tissue histology showed no hepatocellular damage. However, inflammatory changes occurred in the testicular tissue, in which a quantitative decrease in spermatogenic cells was observed due to extensive cellular necrosis, leaving only the basement layer of the seminiferous tubules.
Conclusion S. afzelii exhibited a high safety margin, an indication that it is safe for consumption. However, after chronic administration, it caused undesirable effect in the testes that could compromise its fertility function.
Keywords secamone afzelii - tissue histology - acute and subacute toxicities
