title: Evaluation of sub-chronic oral toxicity of Joloo: a traditional medicinal decoction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Joloo is a Nigerian herbal decoction used for managing breast tumor, ulcer, pain, fever and general malaise in southwestern Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The evaluation of the sub-chronic toxicity of Joloo, a Nigerian herbal decoction, is done by investigating its effects on biochemical, antioxidant, histopathologic and hematologic indices in normal albino rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Albino rats of either sex weighing between 128 and 160 g were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats each. Three test groups were orally administered 400, 800 and 1600 mg kg(-1) body weight (b. wt.) doses of Joloo while control animals received distilled water over 28 days. Animal were weighed weekly and sacrificed after day 28. Organs were harvested, weighed and subjected to histopathologic assessment. Liver and blood samples were used for biochemical, antioxidant and hematological studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mortality and signs of toxicity were absent in animals treated with 400 and 800 mg kg(-1) doses of Joloo. At 1600 mg kg(-1) dose, 20% mortality occurred. Decreased body weight and red blood cells (P < 0.05) observed at 1600 mg kg(-1) differed significantly from control animals. No significant changes in body and organ weights presented. Significant increases in biochemical analytes and histopathologic parameters were unobserved. Rather, Joloo increased leukopoiesis and exhibited antioxidant activities at all doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Joloo proved safe at lower doses. The mortality at 1600 mg kg(-1) could be due to disturbances in the physiology of the animals. The significant reduction in erythropoiesis could indicate early signs of toxicity. However, the unremarkable increases in hepatic and antioxidant enzymes may suggest that Joloo modulated oxidative status in the animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Joloo seems safe at lower doses, but caution is advised at higher doses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oloyede
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okpuzor
authors.forename: Olusesan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Omidiji
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odeigah
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005334:Fever / Q000628:therapy; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009055:Mouth / Q000187:drug effects*; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000506:poisoning / Q000633:toxicity*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D027781:Shallots / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts