Abstract
Background: Bauhinia thonningii is traditionally used to treat bacterial infections, dysentery, and diarrhea. The present study aimed to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of B. thonningii pods.
Methods: Acute toxicity was evaluated according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 423 in Wistar rats receiving single oral doses of 2000 or 5000 mg/kg of the aqueous extract. Subchronic toxicity was assessed following OECD guideline 407 by oral administration of the extract at doses of 45, 90, and 180 mg/kg body weight for 28 consecutive days in male and female rats. A satellite group was included to evaluate the reversibility of potential toxic effects. Body weight, food, and water consumption were monitored. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were evaluated at the end of the treatment period.
Results: No mortality or severe clinical signs were observed during the acute toxicity study, indicating a median lethal dose (LD₅₀) greater than 5000 mg/kg. In the subchronic study, no significant changes in body weight were observed in treated animals compared with controls. The aqueous extract induced a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase activity in males (P = 0.001) and females (P = 0.005). Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels were not significantly affected in either sex. Histopathological examination of kidney tissues revealed no treatment-related alterations.
Conclusion: The aqueous extract of B. thonningii pods is low-toxic under the experimental conditions of this study.
Keywords: hematological parameters; oral safety assessment; Wistar rats.
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