TOXICITY PROFILING REVEALED BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE ETHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF ADANSONIA DIGITATA (MALVACEAE) AT LOW DOSE

Abstract

Background: The increasing patronage of Adansonia digitata for medicinal and cosmetics values makes it a potential source of indiscriminate uses. This study aims at establishing the toxicity potential of the ethanol stem bark extract with a view to providing scientific evidence for the safe use of the plant.

Materials and Methods: The stem bark of Adansonia digitata was identified, collected, dry, milled to powder, extracted in absolute ethanol, filtered and concentrated in vacuo with rotary evaporator at 45^oC. The oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀) was determined using Lorke’s method. Male and female rats (100–140g) were used in this study. Toxicity effects on haematological and plasma biochemical indices, as well as histopathological effect in the selected organs was done using single (1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg) and repeated dose (250, 500 and 1000mg/kg) toxicity profiling, and in silico toxicity profiling of its selected phytoconstituents.  

Results: The oral LD₅₀ was greater than 5000 mg/kg, suggesting non-toxic potential. Our results show varying degree of significant alterations in heamatological, biochemical and histopathological indices following single and repeated doses. These alterations were dose and sex dependent, more pronounced at doses ≥ 1000 mg/kg and correlated well with in silico toxicity profiling. Though some of the phytoconsituents were predicted to show some elements of toxic potentials, our in silico toxicity profiling revealed that none has potential for mutagenicity, genotoxicity, nor inhibit major P450 cytochrome enzymes.  

Conclusion: The study concluded that the extract may be more beneficial at lower repeated doses than high doses with toxic potential.