Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE ACUTE AND SUB-CHRONIC TOXICITY OF EXTRACTS FROM THE BARK OF THE VINE OF PIPER GUINEENSE (SCHUM.) STAPF. (PIPERACEAE) IN LABORATORY RODENTS

Wossolo Lingomo B. S., Etou Ossibi A. W.*, Pénémé BML, Boukongo R. P. and Abena A. A.

ABSTRACT

Piper guineense (P.guineense) is a plant used in traditional Congolese medicine in the management of various pathologies. However, the use of this plant does not guarantee its harmlessness. It is in this perspective that we evaluated the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the barks of P. guineense in mice and rats of laboratory following the method described by OECD, (2018). The aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts were administered in mice acutely at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg and subchronically in rats at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for five weeks. A control batch that received distilled water (1 mL/100 g) was established in order to assess the reversibility of any effects that may appear after stopping of the treatment. Blood samples were taken at the end of the manipulation in order to determine the effects of these extracts on the hematological and biochemical parameters. A histological study was carried out on the liver and kidneys. HAS the dose of 2000 mg/kg, the extracts used were well tolerated. The aqueous extract of P. guineense at a dose of 300 mg/Kg leads to an increase significant activities of ALAT, ASAT and PAL. However, plasma concentrations of creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, HDL, direct and total bilirubin, glucose, LDH, total protein, triglycerides and urea showed no change. significant compared to the control. At the same dose, the hydroethanolic extract causes a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of direct and total bilirubin, glucose, uric acid, urea, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and a significant reduction in index plasma atherogenicity and ALT activity. However, the activities of AST, of PAL, of LDH and the plasma concentrations of Creatinine and total Protein remain unchanged compared to the control group. Furthermore, the histological sections did not reveal any significant lesions in the organs studied (the liver and the kidneys) with the extracts. In conclusion, the extracts used in mice and rats are weakly toxic with an LD50 >2000 mg/kg. However, the hydroalcoholic extract could have protective effects on the liver and the cardiovascular system. Histology showed cell atrophy hepatic and renal.

Keywords: Guinean Piper, toxicity, hematological, biochemical, histopathology parameters.