Toxicity studies of Tithonia diversifolia A. Gray (Asteraceae) in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the toxicity of an ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia, used in Nigeria to treat malaria, in rats.


METHODS
A 70% ethanol extract was administered orally to adult Wistar rats at various dosages (400-1600 mg/kg) and the animals sacrificed and various organs examined at a range of times from 30 min up to 24 h after administration.


RESULTS
The studies showed a dose- and time-dependent toxic effect, which was reversible on the kidney and liver while there was no noticeable adverse effect on the morphology of the heart, spleen and brain.


CONCLUSIONS
A 70% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Tithonia diversifolia, which had previously been shown to reduce parasitemia in mice infected with Plasmodium, displayed kidney and liver toxicity at the lowest dose tested. The use of this plant extract against malaria therefore raises concerns over its safety.
Elufioye
T O
TO
Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Alatise
O I
OI
Fakoya
F A
FA
Agbedahunsi
J M
JM
Houghton
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000633:toxicity*; D019659:Asteraceae; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts