Abstract

The toxicological effects of aqueous suspensions of the resins of Commiphora molmol Engl. ex Tschirch and Boswellia papyrifera Hochst on Wister albino rats were studied using 14 days acute, 28 days sub-chronic and single dose treatment. The mean body weights, hematological and biochemical analysis were evaluated. The acute treatment with either C. molmol or B. papyriferasuspensions did not produce any symptoms of toxicities or mortality with doses up to 100 mg/kg body weight per day, except significant increase in the mean count of white blood cells of rat groups administered C. molmol. The sub-chronic treatment exhibited significant decrease in the mean body weights, beside variations in some hematological and biochemical parameters. Moreover, the rat groups did not tolerate the high oral single doses, particularly at the dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight of either C. molmol or B. papyrifera suspensions where weakness and decrease in motion activity were observed in addition to significant variations in some hematological and biochemical parameters compared to the control group. These results lead to believe that, the plant resins when employed at high doses for long term treatment could cause serious side effects and toxicological symptoms.

Key words: Traditional medicine, Commiphora molmol, Boswellia papyrifera, toxicological study, hematological analysis, biochemical analysis.