title: Toxicological evaluation of grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) [Roscoe] K. Schum.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Phytomedics, Inc, 1085 Cranbury South River Rd, Suite #8, Jamesburg, NJ 08831, USA.
authors.forename: Nebojsa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ilic
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poulev
authors.forename: Ilya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Raskin
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts