Toxicity of citropsis articulata and mystroxylon aethiopicum extracts
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Toxicity profile of aqueous leaf extracts of citropsis articulata and mystroxylon aethiopicum in male albino rats
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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James G Ndukui , Kamatenesi Mugisha, David Owiny, John Kateregga, Vudriko Patrick, Josephine Kasolo, Paul Waako
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
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Full text available for: Toxicity profile of aqueous leaf extracts of citropsis articulata and mystroxylon aethiopicum in male albino rats
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity profile of aqueous leaf extracts from Citropsis articulata and Mystroxylon aethiopicum through acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests in male Wistar rats. Toxicological assessments are crucial for determining the safety of new xenobiotics before their introduction into human trials, especially considering the increasing reliance on herbal medicine in developing countries. The research investigated the behavioral changes, organ weights, hematological parameters, and biochemical effects following exposure to these extracts, focusing on their potential adverse effects.
Acute Toxicity Assessment
The acute toxicity testing demonstrated varying degrees of toxicity between the two extracts, with the LD50 for C. articulata determined to be 18,985 mg/kg and for M. aethiopicum, 9,708 mg/kg. Both extracts resulted in observable signs of toxicity, including hyper urination and convulsions leading to death. These behavioral changes suggest a significant impact on the nervous system. Importantly, the LD50 values indicate both extracts fall within the range considered experimentally safe according to OECD guidelines, highlighting their potential safe usage in lower doses.
Hematological and Biochemical Effects
In the sub-chronic toxicity phase, none of the rats experienced mortality; however, administration of the aqueous extracts led to significant alterations in hematological parameters. M. aethiopicum showed a statistically significant dose-dependent reduction in monocytes and a notable increase in lymphocytes, hematocrit, red blood cells, and hemoglobin levels at higher doses, suggesting that it may stimulate erythropoiesis. Additionally, both extracts resulted in significant reductions in serum alanine transferase (ALT) levels, indicating a lack of hepatotoxic effects, although increased levels of creatinine were observed in rats treated with high doses of M. aethiopicum.
Organ Weight Changes and Histopathological Findings
The study also noted dose-dependent increases in organ weights, particularly the liver, in both extracts, suggesting a possible anabolic effect. Significant changes were observed in the lungs of rats treated with higher concentrations, with histopathological evaluations revealing pneumonitis and edema in lung tissues for both extracts. Notably, M. aethiopicum demonstrated focal perivascular degeneration accompanied by lymphocyte infiltration in the liver at the highest dosage, indicating a potential risk of liver damage.
Conclusion
The findings of the toxicity profile study indicate that while both C. articulata and M. aethiopicum may exhibit safety at lower doses and high LD50 values, prolonged use or higher doses could lead to significant pathological changes, especially in hematological and biochemical parameters. These observations warrant further investigations at the cellular level and long-term studies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the toxicity and efficacy of these herbal extracts as potential therapeutic agents.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the aim of the study on plant extracts?
The study aimed to evaluate the safety profiles of aqueous leaf extracts from Citropsis articulata and Mystroxylon aethiopicum through acute and sub-chronic toxicity tests in male albino rats.
Why are toxicity studies important for new xenobiotics?
Toxicity studies help identify potential serious adverse effects of new drugs before human trials, providing critical data related to health hazards from short-term exposure or repeated administration.
What were the LD50 values found in the study?
The LD50 values were 18,985 mg/kg for Citropsis articulata and 9,708 mg/kg for Mystroxylon aethiopicum, indicating relatively low toxicity.
What were the key findings regarding organ weights and body weight?
Higher doses of both plant extracts caused significant increases in liver weight and enhanced body weight gain, suggesting the extracts may support healthy metabolic processes.
What hematological effects were observed from the plant extracts?
Both extracts reduced monocyte levels significantly, while M.aethiopicum increased lymphocytes and red blood cell parameters, indicating potential stimulation of erythropoiesis.
What were the histopathological findings after treatment with plant extracts?
Most organs showed no significant lesions; however, at higher doses, pneumonitis and liver degeneration were observed, indicating potential organ-specific impacts.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Toxicity of citropsis articulata and mystroxylon aethiopicum extracts”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Toxicity:
Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can cause harm to living organisms. It is a critical aspect of pharmacology and toxicology, as understanding the toxic effects of compounds helps in assessing their safety and potential risks in both medicinal and non-medicinal contexts.
2) Animal:
Animal studies are essential in biomedical research and toxicology to evaluate the safety and efficacy of substances before they reach human trials. These studies help researchers understand how substances affect living organisms, including potential adverse effects observed in controlled experimental settings.
3) Study (Studying):
A study is a systematic investigation aimed at discovering or validating facts and principles. In the context of toxicology, studies assess the effects of substances on health, aiding in understanding their safety profiles. Rigorous study designs are crucial for producing reliable and reproducible results.
4) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses various fields focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Understanding medicinal properties and safety profiles is imperative for developing effective therapies. Research involving plants, such as the ones discussed, contributes to the discovery of new herbal medicines and treatment options.
5) Table:
Tables are a vital part of scientific literature, presenting data in an organized manner for easy interpretation. In this study, tables summarize findings on toxicity, hematological parameters, and other relevant data, allowing readers to quickly assess the results and significance of various experiments.
6) Drug:
A drug is a chemical substance used for medical purposes to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. The study of the toxicity of potential new drugs is fundamental during the drug development process to ensure their safety and effectiveness before clinical use.
7) Blood:
Blood plays a critical role in transporting nutrients, gases, and waste products throughout the body. Evaluating blood parameters during toxicity studies helps assess the physiological impact of substances on organs and systems, providing insights into potential toxic effects and metabolic alterations.
8) Male (Mālē):
In the context of this study, 'male' refers to the sex of the Wistar and Swiss mice that were used as subjects. Gender-specific responses to treatments are important in toxicology, as biological differences may influence the effects of a substance and its safety profile.
9) Science (Scientific):
Scientific pertains to the systematic study and application of knowledge derived from observation and experimentation. This approach is foundational in toxicological research, where rigorous methodologies ensure that findings are reliable and contribute to broader scientific understanding.
10) Kampala:
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda, where this research was conducted. Its geographic and cultural context may influence the use of certain medicinal plants by local communities, making the study relevant for public health initiatives and the validation of traditional practices.
11) Sign:
A sign is an observable indication of a condition or effect, often used in clinical assessments. In toxicology studies, signs of toxicity (e.g., behavioral changes) are monitored closely to evaluate the impact of a substance on the test subjects throughout the experiments.
12) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of drugs, their effects on biological systems, and their therapeutic applications. Understanding pharmacological properties and toxicological effects of substances is vital for developing safe and effective treatments in healthcare.
13) Activity:
Activity refers to the effects that a substance has on biological systems, particularly its pharmacological or toxicological effects. Evaluation of both therapeutic and adverse effects is essential for understanding how a compound interacts with living organisms.
14) Relative:
Relative measures help contextualize findings within scientific research. For instance, when assessing organ weights or blood parameters, relative comparisons allow researchers to determine the significance of observed changes against controls and establish dose-response relationships.
15) Powder:
Powder refers to the form in which plant materials were processed for extracting active components. The preparation of plant extracts as powders is a common practice in herbal medicine, enabling easier administration and potential bioactive compound extraction for toxicity studies and therapeutic applications.
16) Water:
Water serves as a solvent for extracting bioactive compounds from plant materials in preparation for experimentation. Its role in the study emphasizes the importance of aqueous extracts in assessing the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of herbal remedies commonly used in traditional medicine.
17) Veterinary medicine:
Veterinary medicine pertains to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in animals. Research in this field often overlaps with pharmacology and toxicology, as understanding drug safety and efficacy in non-human subjects is crucial for both animal welfare and public health.
18) Edema (Oedema):
Edema refers to swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in tissues, often indicative of underlying health issues. In toxicology studies, observing edema can help researchers identify adverse effects of substances, highlighting their potential impacts on organ systems and overall health.
19) Death:
Death signifies the irreversible cessation of biological functions that sustain life. In toxicology studies, the observation of mortality is critical for determining lethal doses (LD50) of substances, allowing researchers to gauge their toxicity and safety for potential therapeutic applications.
20) Food:
Food influences health and metabolism, playing a significant role in the context of pharmacology and toxicology. Evaluating potential effects of extracts on food consumption informs researchers about the overall health and nutritional status of animal subjects during studies.
21) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformed refers to the process of changing data, such as mortality rates, into another form for analysis, like probit analysis in toxicity studies. This statistical manipulation helps in estimating lethal doses and assessing the safety profile of substances under investigation.
22) Developing:
Developing refers to the growth or evolution of new therapies and drugs from research findings. In toxicology, understanding the developing status of herbal remedies and their potential applications in traditional medicine encourages further exploration for modern medical use.
23) Toxicology:
Toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of substances on living organisms. It is essential for evaluating the safety of drugs and chemicals prior to their use, helping to identify potential risks and establish guidelines for safe exposure levels in medicine and environmental health.
24) Substance:
Substance refers to any chemical or compound being studied for its properties, effects, or potential uses in medicine. In toxicity studies, it highlights the focus on understanding the impacts that specific agents can have on biological systems and health.
25) Disease:
Disease denotes any abnormal condition affecting the body, often leading to illness or dysfunction. Researching the effects of medicinal extracts on disease processes aids in understanding their therapeutic potential and establishing safe, effective treatments for conditions prevalent in various populations.
26) Post:
Post refers to the period after a specific event, often used in scientific studies to indicate observations made after treatment administration. Post-treatment evaluations are crucial in toxicology to assess lingering effects, recovery, or any adverse events resulting from exposure to substances.
27) Observation:
Observation involves closely monitoring subjects for signs, symptoms, or effects following treatment. It is essential in clinical and experimental settings, allowing researchers to gather data that informs the understanding of a substance's bioactivity and potential toxicity.
28) Measurement:
Measurement refers to the process of quantifying variables or outcomes in scientific studies. Accurate measurement of parameters, such as organ weights and biochemical markers, provides essential data for evaluating the effects and safety of substances in toxicity research.
29) Discussion:
Discussion in scientific literature provides an interpretation of findings and contextualizes results within existing research. It allows researchers to explore implications, limitations, and relevance of their studies, facilitating ongoing dialogue and ensuring findings contribute meaningfully to the field.
30) Pesticide:
Pesticides are substances used to deter, incapacitate, or kill pests. Their study within the scope of toxicology is critical, as understanding their safety, environmental impact, and potential toxicity to non-target organisms informs regulations and protective measures for public health.
31) Nature:
Nature encompasses the physical world and biological phenomena. In pharmacology, understanding natural sources, like plants used in traditional medicine, emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting the ecological balance while exploring potential therapeutic benefits.
32) Botany:
Botany is the scientific study of plants, focusing on their structure, properties, and biochemical interactions. It plays a pivotal role in pharmacological research, helping to identify medicinal plants, understand their active constituents, and evaluate their therapeutic potential.
33) House:
House refers to the controlled environment where animals are kept for experimentation. Ensuring proper housing conditions is essential in scientific research to minimize stress and provide optimal living conditions for the subjects, thus enhancing the validity of research findings.
34) Hind (Hiṇḍ):
Hind typically refers to the posterior part of an animal's body, often used in studies to describe specific effects observed in limbs or extremities. Monitoring hind limb functionality in toxicity studies helps assess neurological and physiological impacts following exposure to test substances.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Toxicity of citropsis articulata and mystroxylon aethiopicum extracts’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Herbal medicine, Statistical analysis, Control group, Significant difference, Safety profile, Statistically significant reduction, Anabolic activity, Acute toxicity, Chronic toxicity, Toxicity profile, Hematological Parameters, Xenobiotics, Acute toxicity study, Dose-dependent, Body weight, Body weight change, Serum biochemical parameters, Statistically significant increase, Histopathological examination, Sub-acute toxicity study, Acute oral toxicity, Acute toxicity test, Alkaline phosphatase, LD50 value, Body and organ weight, Lower dose, Creatinine, Dose-dependent reduction, LD 50, Mortality observation, Human Clinical Trials, Toxicology studies, Plant Extract, Dose-dependent effect, Toxicological studies, Plasma concentration, Serum marker enzymes, Sub-chronic toxicity, Tissue preparation, Wistar male rats, Biochemical parameter, Organ weight, Neutrophil, Histopathological finding, Research and ethical committee, Lymphocyte, Herbal Remedie.