Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
(ISSN: 2659 – 0743)
Volume 6, No. 1, 2024
Pages 1-15
DOI: 10.36108/jvbs/4202.60.0110
Toxicity Studies of Methanol Leaf Extract of Momordica Cissiodes in Wistar Rats
Uzoma Chrisantus Chimazuru1* and Madubuike Kelechi Gideon1
1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
ABSTRACT
This investigative study is to determine the acute and sub-acute toxicity effects of methanol leaf extract of Momordica cissiodes (MLEMC) on haematology, serum biochemistry parameters, organ relative weight and histomorphology of major organs of female Wistar rats. The up- and- down method by Risipin was used for the acute toxicity testing while, in the sub-acute study, 24 female rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups; A-D with 6 rats each, and were orally administered with 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses of MLEMC and distilled water respectively, for a period of twenty-eight (28) days. Blood sample and selected organs were collected for blood and histological evaluations respectively, using standard procedures. The result showed MLEMC had an LD ≥ 5000 mg/kg body 50 weight, and no deleterious effect on all the haematology parameters. The total protein, albumin and globulin results revealed that the sub-acute administration of MLEMC was safe at the doses studied. Also the MLEMC decreased the liver and kidney enzymes and also inhibited the activities or synthesis of TC, TG and VLDL-C, while enhancing HDL-C. The MLEMC significantly decreased the body weights of the Wistar rats at 400 mg/kg dose. Furthermore, the extract did not cause any significant enlargement, atrophy or damage to the major organs evaluated, both grossly and microscopically, as shown by the histology photomicrographs of the major organs studied. Therefore, it can be concluded that MLEMC, within the limit of this study, has no toxicological effects on all the parameters evaluated. However, extensive (chronic) toxicological studies are hereby recommended.
Keywords: Momordica cissoides; Sub-acute toxicity; Haematology, Serum biochemistry; Histomorphology