Toxicity of Acalypha torta (Muell) leaves ethanolic extract in mice and rat

Herbal pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals are growing in popularity worldwide. These herbal remedies, however natural, can cause some serious damaging effects on the vital organs of the body due to inadequacy in standardization and safety regulations. A 24 hour acute toxicity study was carried out to ascertain the risk of acute intoxication ofselected doses (200 to 8,000 mg/kg body weight) of the Acalypha torta leaves ethanolic extract in mice. Subacute toxicity was also assessed following intraperitoneal administration of doses < 50% of the median lethal dose (LD50) for 28 days in Wistar albino rats. Results of acute toxicity studies of extract given intraperitoneal to albino rat gave LD50 of 562.30 mg/kg body weight. All the doses of Acalypha torta extract administered reduced appetite in all the  experimental animals used, whereas high doses, > 2000 mg/kg body weight caused loss of appetite, increased respiratory rate, convulsion and reduced responses to pains. Observed pathological changes after 28 day subacute toxicity study in rats were necrosis, follicular disorganization, inflammatory reactions, fibrosis and bronchial dilatation. These changes were seen in the liver, spleen,brain, heart, kidney and lung sections. These findings may suggest that prolonged use of the extract could lead to organ damage

Toxicological Studies on the Ethanol Extract of Acalypha torta (Muell) Leaves in Mice and Rats.

Herbal pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals are now popularly used worldwide.These herbal remedies, although natural, can cause some serious damaging effects on the vital organs of the body due to inadequacy in standardization and safety regulations. Ethanol extract of Acalypha torta was obtained after defatting dried pulverized leaves of the plant with chloroform : methanol ( 2 : 1). A 24 h – acute-toxicity study of the extract in mice was carried out to ascertain the risk of acute toxicty by selected doses (200 to 8,000 mg/kg body weight) administered intraperitoneally. The median lethal dose (LD50) as well as other signs of toxicity were determined. Toxicity to the vital organs in rats was also assessed following intraperitoneal administration of doses less than 50% of the LD50 for 28 days . Results of acute toxicity studies gave LD50 of 562.30 mg/kg body weight. All the tested doses of ethanol extract of A. torta administered reduced appetite in all the experimental rats used whereas high doses, above 2000 mg/kg body weight triggered increase in respiratory rate,and convulsion before the animals died. Observed pathological changes in vital organs after the 28 days of treatment in rats were necrosis, follicular disorganization, inflammatory reactions ,fibrosis and bronchial dilatation. These changes were seen in the liver, spleen, brain, heart, kidney and lung sections, but at low frequencies (i.e number of lesions per slide). These findings may suggest that prolonged use of the extract at doses higher than recommended therapeutic dose could precipitate organ damage.Keywords: Acalypha torta, medicinal plants, toxicology, inflammation, necrosis

Evaluation of Anti-Diarrhoeal Property of Crude Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Labiatae) In Rats

The anti-diarrhoeal property of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum was investigated in Wistar albino rats. Aqueous leaf extract of this plant, at various doses tested (25, 50 & 100mg/kg body weight) displayed remarkable anti-diarrhoeal activity evidenced by the reduction in the rate of defecation and consistency of faeces in albino rats. The protective role of Ocimum gratissimum extract at 100mg/kg body weight was comparable to that of the reference drug, diphenoxylate (50mg/kg body weight). Ocimum gratissimum extract mimicked the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on isolated guinea pig ileum by abolishing the acetylcholine – induced contraction of the smooth muscles of ileum and also exhibited anti-inflammatory action against agar – induced rat paw oedema in the dose range of 100 to 400mg/kg body weight. Like phenylbutazone, the ability of the extract to block oedemogenesis was more manifest at the second phase (5 – 6hrs) after induction of inflammation) of the reactions. Key Words: Anti-diarrhoeal, Ocimum gratissimum, Oedemogenesis, Anti-inflammatory, Diphenoxylate Biokemistri Vol.16(2) 2004: 122-13

Anti-Sickling Effect Of Abrus Seed Spasmolytic Substance

A spasmolytic substance BN, extractable from the seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn Fabaceae has been found to inhibit both metabisulphite- and calcium- induced sickling of human haemoglobin (Hb) SS erythrocytes in vitro. It also inhibited human platelet aggregation elicited by adrenaline (epinephrine) and ADP. In addition, it stabilised Hb SS erythrocyte membrane. The results substantiate the use of the seeds in sickle cell disease. Keywords: Anti-Sickling, Abrus seed, Spasmolytic substance, Induced sickling, HaemoglobinPlant Product Research Journal Vol. 12 2008: pp. 6-