In Vivo Safety Of Dichloromethane-methanolic Extracts Of Allium Sativum L. In Swiss Albino Mice

The indiscriminate use of A. sativum L. in treatment of various diseases can pose a great danger to various body functions. It results to toxicity within the body system e.g. in both dogs and cats, A. sativum L. has been associated with oxidative hemolysis and Heinz body formation leading to anemia and methemoglobinemia. Therefore, assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters of this plant extract can be used to determine its safety and toxic margins. Just like other terrestrial plants, A. sativum L. has a variety ethnopharmacological uses and has been exploited by both local and international individuals in search of various remedies for various diseases. Although, A. sativum is widely known to have various curative properties, there has been no scientific data documented about its safety on hematological and biochemical parameters. The body weight of both treated and control mice were recorded before, during and at the end of the experiment. Blood samples were collected from experimental and control groups on 29th day for biochemical and hematological profiles and were analysed using an auto-analyser. The results of this study showed that DCM MeOH extract of A. sativum L. induced significant increase in the levels of red blood cell, hemoglobin and hematocrit across the 100, 500, 1000 and 2000mg/kgbw dose levels (p0.05). The total and differential white blood cell counts also increased significantly at all dose levels (p0.05).