Bogne K. P., Penlap B .V, Mbofung C. M and Etoa F-X
Holarrhena floribunda is widely used in Cameroonian pharmacopoeia for gastrointestinal disorder. We have now its toxicological effect after acute and subacute administration by oral route in albino Wistar rats. The result of the acute toxicity indicate the medium lethal dose (LD50) values of 6.5 and 7g/kg body weight for male and female rats respectively after 48 hours of treatment. The total lethal dose (DL100) was 8g/kg for both male and female rats. We noted the significant variation (P<0.05) of the urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in the serum and the 20% homogenate liver samples from the dose of 6g/kg body weight in both male and female rats. These results also indicate significant variation of glutathione (P<0.05) in male liver from the dose of 2 to 6g/kg body weight and the alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) of the serum in the female group from the dose of 6g/kg body weight. The results of the subacute toxicity did not showed any significant variation in the body weight, haematological and biochemical parameters studied (P<0.05). The results showed that this extract was poorly toxic but consumption of higher dose up to 2g/kg body weight could cause liver injury. Moderate consumption of small doses up to 1g/kg body weight twice a week for five weeks appeared safe.
