Phytochemical Screening, Proximate Analysis and Acute Toxicity Study of Launaea Taraxacifolia Ethanolic Extract on Albino Rats

Abstract

Despite rapid growth in the use of herbal medicines, there are inadequate research evidences on their effectiveness and toxicity. Launaea taraxacifolia is a very important neutraceutical herb in the West African Sub-region. Phytochemicals and proximate contents showed that this vegetable might have medicinal value in man. This study therefore investigated its safety in rats. The acute toxicity studies were carried out based on OECD guidelines 423 and fixed dosage studies were adopted where the limit dose was 3000mg/kg body weight of test animal.  A total number of fifteen (15) albino rats were grouped into 5 study groups of 3 rats each. Group: I (control), II (500mg/kg), III (1000mg/kg), IV (2000mg/kg) and V (3000mg/kg). Acute toxicity studies of the extracts on rats did not show any form of death when examined for 7 days. The highest dose administered (3000mg/kg body weight) did not produce mortality or changes in the general behavior of the test animals. The histopathological studies of the liver and the kidney tissues unveiled some structural changes in the organs of rats treated with different concentrations of the methanolic extracts of the herbs. This may have potentiated the toxic effect. Therefore, indiscriminate use must be avoided.  The body and organ weight (liver and kidney) were not affected by the administered extracts.