Investigation of Toxicological Profile of Methanol Extract of Dialium guineense in Albino Wistar Rats

The era of synthetic drugs has led to plethora of side effects, some of which are life-threatening As a result, ethnopharmacology has become prominent across different climes in recent years. Even in advanced cultures, people are increasingly drawing closer to natural medicine. Humans have suffered untold challenges as a result of paucity of knowledge of toxicological profiles of different medicinal plants, especially in the tropics. The study investigated the acute and chronic toxicological effects of Dialium guineense in albino Wistar rats with the view to ascertaining its relative bio-safety. Twenty albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of four rats each thus: Group1 Normal control, Groups 2-4 (400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg bw) of 80% methanol extract of Dialium guineense. The study lasted for 29 days. The acute toxicity was carried out according to Lorke’s method (1983). The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses results showed the presence of glycosides, reducing sugar, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, total phenolics, steroids and terpenoids in different amounts. The result of acute toxicity indicated no death of any mice at 5000 mg/kg bw. The results of liver markers indicated that alanine aminotansferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and total protein, albumin, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels of the treatment were non-significantly (P>0.05) different compared to the normal rats, though AST showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in activity in Dialium guineense administered groups compared to the normal control. The results of the serum electrolytes levels sodium and potassium ions indicated a non-significant (P>0.05) increase in concentrations of groups 2-4 compared to group 1. However, Cland HCO3 levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 400 mg/kg bw compared to group1. The results of urea and creatinine showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in their levels at 1200 mg/kg bw compared to group 1. The results of the lipid profile demonstrated that the lipid panel (total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein) of treatment groups was non-significantly (P>0.05) different in concentrations compared to the normal control. The packed cell volume, platelet levels, white blood cells count and differential count showed non-significant (P>0.05) differences in levels and counts of treatment groups compared to normal group. The haemoglobin concentration, red blood cells count showed a significant (P<0.05) differences in treatment groups compared to group 1. Normal renal histo-architecture was observed in normal control group. On the other hand, 400 mg/kg bw showed some epithelial degeneration while 800 mg/kg bw demonstrated mild epithelial changes with mild inflammatory cell infiltration in the surrounding interstitial spaces. Group four (1200mg/kg bw) showed moderate renal tubular atrophy. With respect to liver cells investigations, group one showed normal hepatic histo-architecture whereas group two showed moderate hepatic degeneration. Group three showed marked hepatic vacuolation and disorganization consistent with cellular degeneration. Group four showed a nearly normal hepatic histo-architecture. The cardiac histolology showed that groups one, two and three exhibited normal cardiac histo-architecture while group four showed mild to moderate inflammatory cell infiltration, though no significant necrosis was observed. There was no major challenge to albino mice at acute exposure of methanol extract of Dialium guineese. The findings in the albino Wistar rats suggested that caution is needed in prolonged intake of methanol extract of Dialium guineese. This is to avoid some of the critical observations in the histo-chemical investigations, though no drug is without side effects. The plant could be employed as a pharmacological agent at a moderate dosage.