Acute Toxic Effects of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Celtis durandii Engler (Ulmaceae) on Mice.

Abstract

Celtis durandii (Ulmaceae), one of the plants used in traditional medicine to cure migraine, epilepsy, and high blood pressure was submitted to an acute toxicity study in mice. Different doses of plant extract were administered at once orally to 8groups of 10 each. The mortality rate was evaluated after 48 hours. The macroscopic, biochemical and histological modifications were determined seven days later. The optimal tolerated dose was 9 g/kg. The mean lethal dose (LD50) and the total lethal dose (LD100) were respectively 14.10 g/kg and 18 g/kg with a mortality rate of 42 %. The aqueous doses of Celtis duranndii extract of 3 15 g/kg provoked a significant and dose-dependent decrease in the serum protein levels from 6.79 % to 63.04 %. Creatinine, cholesterol and liver proteins increased. Histological analysis conducted for higher dose of plant extract (15-18 g/kg) revealed a vascular congestion, a necrosis of hepatocytes, and an overcharge of lipid (steatose). The extract caused increase in both ALT and AST serum levels with that of AST higher as reflected in number of organs capable of releasing it. The increase in transaminases might in part be due to its chemical (steroid) constituent, since steroids are known to interfere with the integrity of liver and kidney. The histology of kidneys indicated blood vessel congestion, a slight glomerulosclerosis and accumulation of intratubular fibres occupying the light of tubules. The lethal concentration (LD50) was 3 times higher than 5 g/kg, thus C. durandii relatively seems to be less toxic and possesses an important therapeutic activity. Keywords: Celtis durandii , Acute toxicity, Mice, Histopathology.