THE SUBACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants have the potentials to prevent, treat and manage acute and chronic diseases due to the high presence of phytochemicals. A. wilkesiana has a long history dating back to the early years of use in herbal medications and various pharmacological characteristics. This current study was aimed at evaluating the subacute toxicity of A. wilkesiana suggesting it may have a toxic or side effect on the liver functionality and some hepatic antioxidant of the male wistar rats after a period of time since studies suggests that this plant could be used as a supplement. A total of 16 healthy rats were grouped into four groups of four rats each and were fed and given water daily. Group 1 was the control and exposed to standard feeding and water only while Groups 2,3 and 4 were treated with extracts of 1000 mg, 1500 mg and 2000 mg/ kg body weight respectively. At the end of this study, animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed. The liver of the animals was harvested and homogenized while the blood was collected and centrifuged to obtain the serum and both were subjected to biochemical assays (AST, ALP, BIL, ALB, MDA, GPx). Results from this assay showed no significant impact in the levels of ALP, AST and T. BIL, a slight increase in D. BIL which could indicate bile duct blockage and ALB levels were slightly increased although it doesn’t have any diagnostic significance, an increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GPx levels suggesting oxidative stress. This study suggests that A. wilkesiana has a toxic effect on the liver enzymes at high doses and administration of extract should be done in smaller doses and taken with caution.