TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION

This research examined the toxicological properties of Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa and Cinnamomum verum aqueous extracts on the platelet count and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in male wistar rats. Through the method used by Lorke, thirty-nine rats were placed under the control and treatment groups. There were three rats in the control group and twelve rats in each of the treatment groups. In each treatment group, three rats were administered 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of the corresponding plant extract as well as individual rats were administered 1500, 2900, and 5000mg/kg. It was administered over six days, and biochemical and hematological analyses were conducted in order to determine the liver and blood functioning as well as a proximate analysis of the plant composition. The proximate findings revealed that Curcuma longa had the highest carbohydrate and moisture levels, Andrographis paniculata recorded the highest mineral and fibre levels and Cinnamomum verum had the highest protein content. There were no substantial changes in body weight and this showed dose tolerance. There were dose-dependent platelet-level effects: Andrographis paniculata increased thrombopoiesis with dose, Cinnamomum verum induced a small and reversible platelet-depleting effect, and Curcuma longa had no effect on platelet counts. AST activities were normal in all groups with Curcuma longa (1000 mg/kg) having the best hepatoprotective activity in terms of reduced enzyme activity. In general, the acute exposure to the aqueous extracts was hepatotoxic and hematological toxicity-free. Curcuma longa and Andrographis paniculata exhibited significant hepatoprotection and platelet balance respectively. The findings suggest that both of these herbal extracts are biochemically safe in the dose range tested and they justify the safe use as traditional and modern therapeutic agents.