Volume 19, Issue 43, January - June, 2025

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Evaluation of Ficus thonningii Leaves Hexane Extract in Albino Rats

Nwaogu Jude¹, Sanusi Ahmad Jega¹, Tijjani Nasir^1♦

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plant has a significant contribution in providing knowledge to the researchers in the field of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology, However, toxicological studies contribute significantly to human health. The present study aimed to evaluate acute and subchronic toxicity of Ficus thonningii hexane extract. Phytochemicals screenings were assayed using standard laboratory procedures, while acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Ficus thonningii n-hexane leaves fraction extract was evaluated in albino rats as per OECD guide line. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, balsams, saponin and glycoside. While anthraquinones and volatile oils are not detected, the LD50 of this plant fraction was calculated to be above 5000mg/kg. The result of liver function test revealed a non-significant (P<0.05) difference in all parameters ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB, DB and TP activities compared to normal control group. No significant (P>0.05) decreases in serum (Creatinine, Uric acid, K and Cl-). While there are significant (P<0.05) decreases in urea and HCO3 concentration in group administered with highest dose (750mg/kg body weight) compared to normal control. Na- revealed significant (P<0.05) decreases only in groups treated 750 and 1000mg/kg compared to normal control. A non-significant decrease (P>0.05) in WBC, MCHC, MCV, RDW and lymphocytes in all extract treated groups compared to normal control. HGB and hematocrits significantly (P<0.05) decreased in groups treated with extract 500, 750 and 1000mg/kg respectively compared to normal control. MCH significantly (P<0.05) decreased only in group treated with 750mg/kg compared to normal control. While, PLT showed significant (P<0.05) increase only in group treated with extract 750mg/kg compared to normal control. In conclusion, the present findings revealed that Ficus thonningii n-hexane leaves fraction doesn’t show any sign of effect at acute dose and it’s long-term oral administration for 28days, hence the extract relatively non-toxic at both acute and subchronic administrations.

Keywords: Toxicity, Acute, Subchronic, Ficus thonningii, liver, kidney

Drug Discovery, 2025, 19(43), e9dd2067

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v19i43.e9dd2067

Published: 25 May 2025