Toxicological assessment of the methanolic leaf extract of Bridelia ferrugelia

This study evaluated the acute and subacute toxicity effects of Bridelia ferrugelia leaf extract. Observation of the acute group showed that LD50 of the extract is greater than 2000 mg/kg. The subacute investigation was determined by administering 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of the methanolic leaf extract to male Wistar rats for 28 days with distilled water as a control. Haematological and biochemical parameters, as well as lipid levels of vital organs, were examined. Toxicological evaluation of the extract did not produce any significant change in haematological and biochemical parameters in rats. In addition, blood lipids levels were not significantly affected, while dyslipidaemia effect observed in some vital organs were found to be nonlipotoxic. Administration of Bridelia ferrugelia at a dose of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg for 28 days resulted in reduction of cardiac cholesterol level by 37.16%, 39.36% and 17.64% respectively, reduction of pulmonary cholesterol by 22.17%, 28.08% and 6.24 % respectively and dose-dependent decrease in pulmonary triglyceride level by 16.17, 29.14 and 54.25% respectively. This study indicates that Bridelia ferrugelia extract
administered at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg did not show any toxic effect on the parameters investigated in rats. Thus, the extract can be considered safe when administered orally