Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity Studies of Solvent Extracts of Crinum pedunculatum Bulbs R.Br

Purpose: Crinum pedunculatum R.Br. is a plant that has been used for the topical management of inflammatory diseases among herbalists in the Eastern region of Ghana. Acute and subacute toxicity studies were carried out on solvent extracts of the bulbs of Crinum pedunculatum to assess the safety profile for use. Design/Methodology/Approach: Toxicity experiments were assessed according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Wistar albino rats were used in the acute toxicity experiments, each receiving a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Crinum pedunculatum orally. 45 rats were used in the subacute toxicity research. For 28 days, the groups were given three doses of the ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate Crinum pedunculatum extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), whereas the control group received normal saline. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological tests were carried out at the end of the experiments. Findings: Single dose of all solvent extracts of Crinum pedunculatum showed no mortality or toxicity up to 2000 mg/kg. Therefore, the median lethal dose (LD50) was greater than 2000 mg/kg. In comparison to the control group (normal saline), histopathologic examination revealed no significant pathological variations in the organs of the treated group. Crinum pedunculatum ethyl acetate extract could produce low toxic effects with long term administration with the highest dose because a significant increase in AST levels was observed relative to the control. Research Limitations: Chronic toxicity studies can be carried out to determine the toxic effects, if any, of the prolonged use of this plant. Practical Implications: The results from this study show that a single dose of Crinum pedunculatum extract at 2000 mg/kg is relatively safe and continued oral administration of smaller doses (50, and 100 mg/kg) of the ethanol and methanol Crinum pedunculatum extracts showed no significant toxic manifestations. This study also enhances sustainable scientific research by maximizing observable results with justifiably reduced number of animals. Originality/Value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the toxicity profile of the bulbs of Crinum pedunculatum. It also builds on several toxicity studies carried out on other Crinum species.