Abstract

Itemobong S. Ekaidem*, Item J. Atangwho, Henry D. Akpan, Itoro F. Usoh, Oboso E. Etim and Patrick E. Ebong

The acute and sub-acute toxicity of aqueous extract of the fresh, unripe berries of Solanum aculeastrum was investigated in male Wistar rats. In the acute toxicity study, toxicity symptoms such as hypoactivity, respiratory distress and epistaxis which disappeared 72 h post treatment, were observed in all the extract treated animals. Except for the 125 mg/kg body weight of the extract, all the other dose levels (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) produced mortality in the animals whose latency was inversely proportional to the doses. The extract produced no histopathological alterations in all the organs except the lungs where there was evidence of follicle formation and interstitial diseases following the administration of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Again, with 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract, the lungs became characterized with massive expansion of the bronchial lymphoid tissue (BALT), extension of lymphocytes and plasma cells through the mascularies into the submucosa and mucosa. In the sub-acute toxicity study however, the 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the body weight of the animals by 9.23 and 20.02%, respectively. The extract decreased the weight of the liver whereas those of the lungs, spleen and the testes increased. All the dose levels also increased the concentrations of serum total protein, globulin, creatinine and MCV of the animals. Whereas the 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract increased the serum levels of albumin, urea, calcium, GGT, Hb and RBC, the 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of the extract decreased the total and conjugated bilirubin. The 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract increased the levels of MCHC, WBC, Cl- , total and conjugated bilirubin. Again, all the dose levels of the extract decreased the activities of serum ALP, ALT, inorganic phosphorus, MCH, platelets, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, LUC and basophils. The extract at 25 and 75 mg/kg body weight increased the RCDW and PCV levels respectively whereas the 75 mg/kg body weight of the extract reduced the RCDW. The extract at 25 mg/kg body weight decreased the serum AST activity, Hb, RBC, MCHC and WBC. The alterations in the haematological parameters, liver and kidney function indices as well as mortality observed in this study indicates that the aqueous extract of the fresh, unripe berries of S. aculeastrum is toxic and will adversely affect the normal functioning of the blood, liver and kidney of the animals. The follicular bronchitis observed in the lungs of the animals may be associated with immunodeficiency and hypersensitivity to the plant extract. Therefore, the extract is not completely safe as an oral remedy when repeatedly consumed on daily basis for 14 days at the doses investigated.