Abstract

The toxicological effect of the ethanolic seed extract of Corchorus olitorius was evaluated in white albino rats as a prelude to further pharmacology assessment of the plant seed extract. The acute, sub acute and chronic effects of the extract following oral administration in the animal were studied. The lethal medium dose (LD₅₀) of the extract was estimated to be higher than 5000 mg/kg. Oral administration of 250, 500 and 1250 mg/mg doses daily for 28 days did not produce any death among the rats. But there was significant (P < 0.05) and dose dependent increase in the renal biochemical parameters (sodium, potassium and urea level) and the liver biochemical parameters [the alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), conjugated bilirubin and total bilirubin] supported by histological evidences (tubular necrosis in the kidney and from hepatic fatty change to multifocal hepatocyte necrosis in the liver). In the chronic 90 days study, where even higher doses at 1250, 2500 and 3750 mg/kg were administered orally, in which there were mortalities recorded. Renal biochemical parameters showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in sodium, increase in potassium and increase in urea while the AST, ALT and albumin were all significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the liver. The derangements were all supported by histological evidences, mild medulla lyphiod aggregation, multifocal area of renal lyphiod aggregations, portal vein congestion and multifocal hepatic necrosis. The heamatological system showed an increase in the lymphocyte count (P < 0.05) and (P < 0.001) in both the 28 and 90 days studies, respectively.

Key words:  Corchorus olitorius (CO), lethal medium dose (LD₅₀), alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase.