Acute toxicity study of aqueous fruit extract of xylopia aethiopica (dunal) a. Rich. In albino Rats

Abstract Background: Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich, is a medicinal plants distributed in lowland rainforest of Guinea Savannah zones of Africa. It is widely consumed in African cuisine as spice as well used in traditional African medicine especially by pregnant women to either; ease child birth, induce placental discharge, facilitate lactation or to prevent nausea. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the toxicity level of the aqueous fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. in albino rats. Methodology: Lorke's method was adopted, using twelve female albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 120 to 160g. The study was divided into two phases of three groups each. First phase were administered at the dose rate of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg body weight respectively (N=3). Second phase were administered at the dose rate of 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg body weight (N=1). Result: Clinical signs of toxicity like loss of appetite, piloerection, stretching of the abdomen, one-sided movement, diarrhea and lethargy were observed in rats groups treated with 1000 and 1600 mg/kg of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. While mortality were observed in the rats groups treated with 2900 and 5000 mg/kg of the extract. Tissue samples collected for Histology, liver, kidney and spleen showed vascular congestion, degeneration architecture of the glomerulus accompanied with distortion of renal tubules and severe hemosiderin in the respective organs. Conclusion: LD50 of the extract was estimated to be 2154 mg/kg. The study showed that though the extract is relatively safe but indiscriminate consumption of the extract at a higher dose can be deleterious to health.