Abstract:
The present paper evaluates the acute and chronic toxicity of aqueous crude leaf extract of Vernonia bipontini Vatke (V. bipontini V) in mice model. Leaves of the plant were collected from Bale, Ethiopia, dried under shade, crushed into powder and soaked in water to yield the extract. Lethal dose of aqueous leaf extract of the plant was determined using nine groups of mice to which the aqueous leaf extracts of V. bipontini V was administered at doses ranging from 1250 to 3250mg/kg. All animals were closely observed for any physical and behavioral alterations for acute toxicity evaluation. For long-term toxicity evaluation, animals were subjected to oral administration of the extract at 400 and 800mg/kg, at 24 hours intervals for 45 days. The treated animals survived for 45 days. Body weights of the mice were recorded. Blood sample was collected from experimental and control groups for hematological studies and biochemical analysis on the 46th day after anesthesia. The liver and kidney of each animal were taken and examined by light microscope for any anatomical abnormalities. The LD50 was found to be 2500.62±5.24 mg/kg. The extract had no significant effect on liver and kidney weights, hematological (RBC, WBC, platelet, Hgb, Hct, Mcv, Mcv and L) and biochemical parameters such as liver AST, ALT and ALP; and kidney urea at all doses (P>0.05). Light microscope examination of liver and kidney tissue of mice treated with 400 and 800mg/kg of the extract did not show structural abnormalities. The results suggest that the extract of this plant may be safe, even when administered at a dose of 800mg/kg for 45 days. This is in agreement with the traditional claim of the water preparation of V. bipontini Vatke leaves.
