Toxicological and Reversibility Assessment of Dalbergia saxatilis Root Extract on Body and Organ Weights, Hepatic Functions and Peroxidation in Rats

Aims: The aqueous root extract of Dalbergia saxatilis (DS) was investigated for its effects on the body and vital organs weights, liver toxicities and oxidative stress markers after 90 days treatment and 14 days reversibility in rats, with a view to ascertaining its safety claims.

Study Design: The study was 90 days subchronic toxicity test, followed by 14 days reversibility studies on Sprague-Dawley rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Toxicology Unit Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria, and Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, between December 2007 and May 2012.

Methodology: Rats of both sexes were given daily doses of DS (40, 200 or 1000 mg/kg) for 90 days, during which the body weights were measured weekly. After 90 days, weights of vital organs- heart, kidneys, liver, lungs & spleen were measured; biochemical parameters- ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin and uric acid were measured from blood, and oxidative stress markers- MDA, GSH, SOD & CAT were determined from liver and spleen tissues. Histopathological assessment of hepatocytes was also done. Additional 14 days reversibility tests were also carried out.

Results: There was significant (P = .05) body weight gain per week at 40 mg/kg & 200 mg/kg DS groups. Significant increases were also recorded in liver weight of female rats at 1 g/kg and spleen at 200 mg/kg for female & 1 g/kg for rats of both sexes. ALP was significantly elevated in female rats at 200 mg/kg, and in both sexes at 1/g/kg; direct bilirubin was elevated at 1 g/kg in both sexes; whereas LDH was elevated in female rats at 1 g/kg. Significant elevation of CAT, SOD & GSH, and significant lowering of MDA were recorded for female rats at 1 g/kg. Histopathology of the liver revealed lesions at DS dose of 1 g/kg.

Conclusion: The extract might cause weight changes, reversible splenotoxicity and irreversible hepatotoxicity in females, during prolonged oral use at 1 g/kg.