Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Euphorbia heterophylla L. in Sprague Dawley Rats

Aims: The present study, aim to investigate the acute toxicity of Euphorbia heterophylla leaf (EHL) aqueous extract.

Study Design: Female Sprague Dawley Rats were divided into five experimental groups consisting of four EHL treatment groups (50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) and control group. The animals received their respective treatments once orally, observed for 14 days and sacrificed.

Place and Duration of Study: Food technology Department, Federal Industrial Institute of Research Oshodi (FIRRO), Nigeria, between 16th May 2016 and 31st May, 2016.

Methodology: Healthy female Sprague Dawley rats (80-100 g) were used. Weights of the animals were recorded before and after EHL extract administration. The feed consumption pattern, relative organ weight, hematological parameters, clinical biochemistry and histology of the liver were carried out.

Results: There was a significant decrease (p< 0.001, p< 0.01) in mean weekly percentage increase in body weight of rats that received 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg in either weeks of treatment, although there was no significant change in the food consumed. The relative weight of the liver, kidney and brain significantly increased (p< 0.05) especially at 2000 mg/kg. There was also a significant increase in hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HB) at 50 mg/kg (p< 0.05) and 150 mg/kg (p< 0.001). However, red blood cells (RBC) (p < 0.05), platelets (PLT) (p< 0.001) and white blood cells (WBC) (p< 0.05) significantly decreased mostly at 2000 mg/kg. There was significant elevation in either aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at 50 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg. Moreover, EHL caused mild inflammation or portal congestion in all treatment groups.

Conclusion: EHL possess toxicity potentials clinically, especially at higher doses and safe use of the plant extract is recommended in regards to its common traditional use.