title: Toxicity studies on Datura metel L. with reference to official stramonium.
abstract: Suspensions of the powdered leaf of Datura metel L. and Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) were administered by intubation at different doses: 0.125 mg/kg, 0.250 mg/kg, 0.500 mg/kg, 1.000 mg/kg, 1.224 mg/kg and 1.400 mg/kg to virgin female albino mice and were observed daily. After two weeks, the mice were sacrificed and the liver, kidney and intestine were removed, preserved in 10% formalin solution and embedded in paraffin wax. Tissues from these organs were stained for assessment of tissue morphology. Pathological changes observed at 1.224 mg/kg and 1.400 mg/kg (LD100) were irreversible. At all other dose levels, there were reversible changes in the liver, kidney and intestine. Generally, D. metel-treated mice showed less anatomical abnormalities than D. stramonium-treated mice. Hence, D. metel could serve as a substitute for D. stramonium in drug development.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. galebiowu@yahoo.uk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alebiowu
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Femi-Oyewo
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elujoba
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Ojo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D032302:Datura / Q000633:toxicity*; D013286:Datura stramonium / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D010947:Plants, Toxic
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts