SAFETY OF UVARIA CHAMAE P. BEAUV ROOTS AQUEOUS EXTRACTS IN WISTAR RATS

Uvaria chamae is used in the treatment of sickle cell crisis in Benin. The aim of this work is to determine the safety of Uvaria chamae roots aqueous extract in wistar rats. The aqueous extract was obtained by maceration. The tests for Acute Oral Toxicity (AOT) and of Sub-Chronic Oral Toxicity (SCT) respectively by forced gavage in a single dose of 2000 mg / Kg and 200 mg / Kg of body weight for 28 days were performed on female Wistar rats. The weight of the animals, serum creatinine, transaminases and the number of white blood cells were determined on day 0 and then on day 14 and day 28 respectively for AOT and SCT. Histologic analysis of the liver, kidneys and spleen was performed for both tests. There were no deaths in toxicity testing and organ histology did not show atypia. Weight, serum AST and ALT transaminases, and mean white blood cell count did not change significantly between the start and end of the experiment for both AOT and SCT. Only creatinine decreased significantly for SCT, indicating more protection of kidney function. Uvaria chamae roots did not show hepatic, renal and immune toxicity in the acute or sub-chronic state.