title: Studies on the toxicity of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Abrus precatorius in rats.
abstract: The toxic effects of an aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius were studied in 20 male white rats over a period of 18 days. The rats were divided into four groups of five rats per group. Those in Group A served as controls while the rats in Groups B, C and D were dosed per os with 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1 600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analysis and specimens of the liver, kidney and testes were taken for histopathological studies. The study showed that the extract of A. precatorius caused decreased levels of packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. The extract also resulted in increased levels of total serum protein, albumin, alanine amino transaminase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Histologically, testicular degeneration characterized by decreased numbers of lining cells of the epithelium as well as reduction in sperm cells with presence of scattered Sertoli cells were noted. The study thus showed that aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius is toxic and caution should be exercised in its use for medicinal purpose.
authors: Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Adedapo
authors: O A
authors: OA
authors: Omoloye
authors: O G
authors: OG
authors: Ohore
mesh_terms: D029912:Abrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts