Acute toxicity effects of the methanolic extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides (Lam.) root-bark.
BACKGROUND
Fagara zanthoxyloides is a well known medicinal plant in Uganda. It is used extensively in malaria and other infections. However nothing is known about its toxicity.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the methanolic extract of the root-bark of F. zanthoxyloides, in mice.


METHODS
Methanolic extract of the root-bark of the plant was administered orally to mice at various dose levels to determine the acute toxic effects and the median lethal dose (LD50) in mice.


RESULTS
The LD50 of the methanolic extract was found to be 5.0 g/Kg body weight within 95% confidence limits. The mice showed signs of cerebral irritation before dying. Histopathological examinations of the viscera showed congestion and focal necrosis of the liver and renal tubules.


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the extract of F. zanthoxyloides is safe, however the cerebral mechanism that lead to the death of the mice need to be investigated further.
Ogwal-Okeng
Jasper W
JW
Makerere University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, P O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
Obua
Celestino
C
Anokbonggo
William W W
WW
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018517:Plant Roots; D014454:Uganda; D032106:Zanthoxylum / Q000633:toxicity*
D010936:Plant Extracts