Evaluation of the Safety Profile of the Leaves of Gutenbergia nigritana Benth

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the safety of aqueous extract of Gutenbergia nigritana leaves in Wistar rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Between July and September, 2014.

Methodology: The sub chronic toxicity experiment was conducted on the extract. Graded doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the extract was administered orally to the rats on a daily basis for a period of 28 days. The animals were observed daily for signs of toxicity and mortality. Thereafter, alterations in the haematological parameters, serum lipid profile and some marker enzymes were then evaluated.

Results: The administration of the extract did not result in mortality of the rats at the tested doses and duration. There were no significant alterations in the levels of packed cell volume (PCV), heamoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets. However, there was a reduction in the concentration of red blood cells (RBC) at 200 mg/kg. The administration of aqueous extract of G. nigritana leaves resulted in significance increase the levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The triglycerides level reduced whereas that of high density lipoprotein cholesterol remained unaltered. The activities of aminotransferases were increased while that of alkaline phosphatase reduced. There was no significant alteration in the activity of acid phosphatase throughout the experimental period.

Conclusion: Sub chronic administration of G nigritana leaf extract may predispose animals to cardiovascular risk.