title: Sub-chronic toxicity study of the methanol root extract of Cnestis ferruginea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cnestis ferruginea (CF) Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is a shrub abundant in West Africa. Root preparations are used in traditional medicine to treat diverse conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the sub-chronic toxicological effects of the methanol root extract of CF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Groups of adult rats of both sexes were treated daily with distilled water (DW) and CF at doses of 80 (sub-therapeutic dose), 400 (therapeutic dose), and 1000 (supra-therapeutic dose) mg/kg orally for 90 days. Animals were weighed weekly and observed for behavioral and morphological changes. At the end, rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Vital organs were harvested, weighed, and assessed for in vivo antioxidants and histopathological changes. Sperm analysis and reversibility study were done, and mortality was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CF at the therapeutic dose did not produce any significant irreversible deleterious effects on the weight of animals and vital organs, in vivo antioxidants, histopathological presentation, hematological, biochemical, and sperm parameters. Platelet anomaly was elicited as a delayed effect. Effects at the sub- and supra-therapeutic doses were similar but with delayed anemia in females and weight reduction and sterility in males as possible side effects. CF generally showed a potential to induce in vivo antioxidants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that CF given over an extended period possess the potential to cause induction of in vivo antioxidants especially in the ovary. Possible side effects identified with CF, which necessitate caution, include delayed platelet anomaly and anemia in females, weight reduction, and sterility in males.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors: Ismail O
authors: IO
authors: Ishola
authors: Abidemi J
authors: AJ
authors: Akindele
authors: Olufunmilayo O
authors: OO
authors: Adeyemi
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000818:Animals; D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D031961:Connaraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D009549:Nigeria; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000432:Methanol