MICE

Rauvolfia vomitoria is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional African medicine for the management of hypertension, mental disorders, and various other ailments. However, the safety profile of its leaf extracts, which are commonly used, remains inadequately scientifically validated. This study was designed to investigate the acute toxicity of the methanol leaf extract of R. Vomitoria in mice. Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, air-dried, and macerated in 70% methanol. The extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the bioactive constituents. The acute oral toxicity study was carried out according to the OECD Guideline 425 (Up-and-Down Procedure). Twenty adult albino mice were used and administered single oral doses of the extract ranging from 10 mg/kg to 5000 mg/kg. The mice were observed for behavioural changes and mortality over 24 hours, followed by a 14-day monitoring period. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. In the acute toxicity test, no mortality was recorded at any of the administered doses, including the limit test dose of 5000 mg/kg. Observed behavioural effects such as scratching, restlessness, and sedation were mild and transient. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of the methanol leaf extract was therefore determined to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. The findings indicate that the methanol leaf extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria is practically non-toxic following acute oral administration in mice. This high safety margin provides a scientific basis for the relative safety of its traditional use and supports further investigation into its pharmacological potential. It is recommended that sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies be conducted to fully elucidate its long-term safety profile.

This study used mouse models to assess the acute toxicity and analgesic effects of Moringa oleifera extract. Acute toxicity was tested by giving different oral dose up to 5000 mg/kg, which resulted in no mortality, showing relative safety. The analgesic efficacy was assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking assays. The extract considerably reduced writhing behaviors in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05), indicating peripheral analgesic effects. In the formalin test, the extract significantly reduced paw licking time in both neurogenic (early) and inflammatory (late) phases, with significant effects at moderate and high dosages (p < 0.05), indicating wide analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. These data confirm Moringa oleifera extract's potential as a safe and effective analgesic agent. Moringa oleifera's phytochemical components, which include flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and phenolic acids, are thought to work together to provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits. The extract's ability to attenuate nociceptive behaviors in established experimental models backs up its longstanding use in folk medicine to treat pain and inflammation. The findings of this work give experimental confirmation for Moringa oleifera root bark as a promising natural analgesic with a wide range of efficacy, prompting further investigation into its pharmacological mechanisms and possible clinical applications. The extract's analgesic efficacy and safety profile make it a promising lowrisk pain management option