Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity Studies of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Lippia multiflora from the Bélier Region (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

Background and Objective: Lippia multiflora is used by sub-saharan African populations as tea, beverage and pharmaceutical preparations to treat various diseases. This study was conducted to identify the chemical groups in the leaves of L. multiflora harvested in Toumodi (Côte d'Ivoire) and to evaluate the toxicity of the aqueous extract (LiMAE) in two mammals. Materials and Methods: After identification of the phytochemicals, 4 Swiss mice and 18 female Wistar rats were used for the acute toxicity and sub-acute toxicity studies, respectively, according to the OECD guidelines (423 and 425). At 28th day, rats were anaesthetized and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and biochemical metabolites and hematological parameters were monitored. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of sterols, polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, catechin tannins, saponosides and alkaloids in L. multiflora leaves. Administered orally, LiMAE was not toxic. LiMAE did not significantly modify (p>0.5) the quantities of food and water consumed by the treated rats in comparison with the controls. Biochemical and hematological parameters were not also influenced by LiMAE-treatment. In contrast, a significant increase in body weight was observed in treated animals compared to controls. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Lippia multiflora aqueous leaf extract has no apparent toxic effect on hematological and biochemical parameters, weight and food intake in animals. The non-toxicity of the aqueous extract and the chemical compounds highlighted in the leaves would partly justify the folkloric use of this plant to treat various diseases.