Toxicological evaluation of grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) [Roscoe] K. Schum.
BACKGROUND
Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta [Roscoe] K. Schum.) seeds are used in West Africa as a remedy for variety of ailments such as stomach ache, snakebite, diarrhea and they have reported anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the seeds contain gingerols and related compounds that may be useful against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
A 28-day sub-chronic toxicity study in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats was conducted to evaluate the safety of a Grains of Paradise extract.


METHODS
An ethanolic extract of the seeds was evaluated for toxicological effect on rats.


RESULTS
A dose-related increase in absolute and relative liver weights was observed in males and females dosed with 450 and 1500 mg/kg. There was a corresponding increase in alkaline phosphatase with no signs of steatosis or cirrhosis. At the same doses, there was a significant decrease in blood glucose in male rats.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that Grains of Paradise extract may be useful as a treatment for diabetes, however liver toxicity should be considered.
Ilic
Nebojsa
N
Phytomedics, Inc, 1085 Cranbury South River Rd, Suite #8, Jamesburg, NJ 08831, USA.
Schmidt
Barbara M
BM
Poulev
Alexander
A
Raskin
Ilya
I
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012639:Seeds / Q000633:toxicity*; D030521:Zingiberaceae / Q000633:toxicity*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts