Toxicity evaluation of the arils of the fruit of Blighia sapida KD Koenig (Sapindaceae) in Wistar rats

Abstract

The Methanol extract of the arils of fruits of Blighia sapida was studied for its toxic effects on certain hematological and biochemical indices as well as the histopathological examination of some organs of the Wistar rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that the plant contains bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, cardiac glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, steroid glycosides, cardenolides, terpenes and tannins. Three different concentrations of the extract were administered to different groups of the rats orally for 28 days in the sub-acute test and 90 days in the case of the Sub-chronic test. The extract showed no mortality even at a dose of 5000mg/kg. Other results obtained showed a significant increase in some hematological indices such as pack cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Others are mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hematocrit (HCT), and lymphocytes (LYMP). However, white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT) showed a significant decrease as the doses administered increased from low to high. There was also, a significant decrease in the levels of certain biochemical indices such as urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) while the levels potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), total protein and albumin were significantly increased. The methanol extract of the arils of fruits of Blighia sapida revealed mild distortion of hepatocytes, loose nuclei within the cells, and also complete loss of sinusoid with an increase in dose within the liver.