J. O. Oseyomon

Anthocleista grandiflora has a history of traditional herbal use and has been reported to possess a wide range of therapeutic properties. This current study aimed to explore the effect of chronic administration of a methanol seed extract of Anthocleista grandiflora on the biochemical indicators of renal function in male rats. For this study, twenty male rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of five rats. The extract was administered orally at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of body weight for a duration of 28 days. The kidney was harvested and processed histologically and blood samples were taken for biochemical assays. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with Graph Pad Prism. The findings revealed that there were no significant differences in the sum of the means of all the parameters measured across the groups (P>0.05) when compared with control. Based on the absence of elevated urea and creatinine levels in the blood and the absence of any abnormalities in the histological examination of kidney tissues across all treatment groups, it can be inferred that Anthocleista grandiflora, administered at varying doses over a four-week period, does not appear to have any adverse effects on kidney function.

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 investigated the effects of 28-day oral administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on haematological parameters in wistar rats. The plant which is widely used in West African traditional medicine, is known for its therapeutic benefits, yet its prolonged safety on blood indices remains scarcely explored. Twenty-four male wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups: a control group and three treatment groups receiving 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were analyzed for red and white blood cell indices, as well as platelet parameters, using standard hematological techniques. The results revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in total white blood cell, monocyte, and granulocyte counts at the lowest dose (250 mg/kg), while higher doses maintained values comparable to the control. Red blood cell indices—including haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular volume—remained within normal physiological limits, suggesting no adverse effect on erythropoiesis. Platelet counts were greatly unaffected, though a temporary decrease in plateletcrit and platelet distribution width was observed at low dose. Overall, the extract did not produce any clinically significant haematotoxic effect but demonstrated mild dose-dependent immunomodulatory influence. These findings suggest that aqueous extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum is relatively
safe on haematological profiles within the tested range, supporting its traditional use while emphasizing the need for dose regulation in prolonged administration.