ABSTRACT
Daldinia concentrica Ces. & De Not., also known as King Alfred's cakes, cramp balls, coal fungus and carbon balls is an ascomyceteous, wood-rotting mushroom belonging to the family, Xylariaceae. It is used ethnomedicinally to treat conditions and ailments such as keloid, boils, whitlow, pile, burns, epilepsy, convulsion, leucorrhoea, stomach ulcer, whooping cough, worm infestation, and barrenness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sub-acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of the medicinal mushroom, Daldinia concentrica on Wistar albino rats via oral administration at the dose levels of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight. Results from the study elucidated that administration of the aqueous extract at all dose levels used invokes no change in mortality rate, physical parameters or blood sugar levels. There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in the analyzed body weights of the 200 mg/kg dosage group only. However, there were significant decreases (p < 0.05) observed the dosage groups (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) for the organ-body weight ratios of their hearts, left and right kidneys, spleen and livers. Significant decreases were provoked in the haematological parameters, MCH (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin); MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration) and RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width ) at dosages ≥ 400 mg/kg. It was concluded that the toxic effects of the aqueous extract was invoked at high concentrations.
