Acute and sub- chronic toxicity profile of Annona muricata (Sour sop) on wister albino rats

Abstract

In drug development, determination of its toxic profile is paramount and usuall In drug development, determination of its toxic profile is paramount and usuall y the initial step in y the initial step in its evaluation. Ph its evaluation. Ph ytochemical constituent’s assessment can subsequentl ytochemical constituent’s assessment can subsequentl y be y be elucidated. Annona muricata is an evergreen shrub that is endowed with ethno-medicinal values and also served as a muricata is an evergreen shrub that is endowed with ethno source of food. The significant needs to evaluate the toxic profile of the plant lead to the design of source of food. The si source of food. The si gnificant needs to evaluate the toxic profile of the plant lead to the desi gnificant needs to evaluate the toxic profile of the plant lead to the desi gn of gn of this work. Therefore this work is desi Therefore this work is desi gned to evaluate the phytochemical constituents, acute (LD50 gned to evaluate the phytochemical constituents, acute (LD as the index) and sub-chronic toxicity profile of the leaf extracts. chronic toxicity profile of the leaf extracts. The effect of the extracts on the The effect of the extracts on the serum levels of some biochemical parameters which include alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serum levels of some biochemical parameters which include alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , alanin , alanine aminotransferase (ALT aminotransferase (ALT ) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST ) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Also include the effect on the ). Also include the effect on the kidney function parameters such as Urea, creatinine and electrol kidney function parameters such as Urea, creatinine and electrol yte (K+, Na+, Cl yte (K+, Na+, Cl- and HCO3-). The LD50 of the extract indicated that the plant extract is relativel of the extract indicated that the plant extract is relativel y safe with no mortality recorded at y safe with no mortality recorded at dose >5000mg/k dose >5000mg/k g bod g bod y wei y wei ght of the drug. There was no si ght of the drug. There was no si gnificant (P ˃ 0.05) si gnificant (P gnificant difference in the serum level of ALP ALT and AST for the liver function test. In a related effect no difference in the serum level of ALP ALT and AST for the liver functi on test. In a related effect no si si gnificant variation recorded on the kidney function parameters. However, salient mild effect on gnificant variation recorded on the kidney function parameters. However, salient mild effect on the liver and kidney was observed from the histopathological examination, but can be effectivel the liver and kidney was observed from the histopathological examination, but can be effectivel y y averted if extended use of hi gher concentration of the extract is avoided, as the effect is observed gher concentration of the extract is avoided, as the effect is observed to be both concentration and time dependent. However the research findings observed and to be both concentration and time dependent. suggested, the possible hepato-protective and neuphro protective and neuphro- protective potential of the plant methanol extract which should be further investi extract which should be further investigated