Toxicological effects of Opilia amentacea Roxb, a medicinal plant used in traditional African medicine

Abstract

Opilia amantacea Roxb, is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional African medicine. However, data on its safety remain limited in the scientific literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of Opilia amentacea Roxb. The work was carried out in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for the testing of chemicals using Method 423 on Wistar rats. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Opilia amantacea Roxb was administered at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. The different clinical signs observed after administration and over 14 days were recorded. As results, no mortality was observed. Only a general state of sleep was observed in animals of the control batch and the batch treated with the ethanolic extract of the plant tested. The biochemical parameters transaminase (AST, ALT), bilirubin (free and conjugated), alkaline phosphatases, uricemia, urea, creatinine) and the hematological parameters studied showed a nonstatistical difference (p>0.05) between the test batch and the control batch. The same applies to the variation in the weight of animals. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Opilia amantacea Roxb does not have significant toxic effects on liver, kidney and blood tissue at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. From these data, it can be concluded that the ethanolic extract of Opilia amantacea Roxb does not exhibit acute toxicity to human health at the doses tested. Its use in traditional medicine may be recommended if efficacy data are established.