title: Toxicological studies of stem bark extract from Schefflera barteri Harms (Araliaceae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of herbal medicines as complements or alternatives to orthodox medicines has been on the increase. There has been the erroneous belief that these medicines are free from adverse effects. Schefflera barteri is popularly used in the West region of Cameroon for the treatment of various diseases such as diarrhea, spasm, pneumonia and animals bite. Considering the ethnopharmacological relevance of this plant, this study was designed to investigate the possible toxic effects of the stem bark extract of S. barteri.
  
  
  METHODS
  The extract was prepared by maceration of stem bark dry powder in methylene chloride/methanol mixture. Phytochemical analysis was performed by chemical reaction method. Oral acute toxicity study was carried out by administering single geometric increasing doses (2 to 16 g/kg body weight) of plant extract to Swiss albino mice. For sub-acute toxicity study, repeated doses (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg bw) of plant extract were given to Wistar albino rats for 28 consecutive days by oral route. At the end of the treatment period, hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed, as well as histopathological studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical analysis of stem bark extract of S. barteri revealed the presence of anthocyanins, anthraquinons and saponins. Acute toxicity results showed that the LD50 was greater than 16000 mg/kg. Sub-acute treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased the level of serum transaminase, proteins and HDL cholesterol. On the other hand, the extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the level of leucocytes as well as neutrophils, basophils and monocytes in female. No significant variation of serum creatinine, LDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides as well as liver, spleen, testicles and ovaries proteins was noted. Histopathological analysis of organs showed vascular congestion, inflammation of peri-portal and vacuolization of hepatocytes at the level of the liver. Leucocytes infiltration of peri-portal veins were noticed on lungs and liver cells as well as inflammatory peri-bronchial and basal membranes seminar tube merely joined on lungs and testis respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that acute administration of the stem bark extract of S. barteri is associated with signs of toxicity, administration over a long duration provokes hepatotoxicity, testes and lungs toxicities.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. atsafackserge@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Serge Secco
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Atsafack
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. jrkuiate@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jules-Roger
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kuiate
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Food Quality Control, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 7236, Douala, Cameroon. moraysi@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Raymond Simplice
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mouokeu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon. koanga@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Martin Luther
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Koanga Mogtomo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytochemistry, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Study, Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, P.O. Box 6163, Yaoundé, Cameroon. alembertt2002@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Alembert Tiabou
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tchinda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. jtamokou@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Tamokou Jean
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: De Dieu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. nanahug@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Huguette
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Magnifouet Nana
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon. Ebelleetame@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Rébecca Madeleine
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ebelle Etame
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytobiochemistry, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Biyitilu@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Biyiti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon. angono@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Rosalie Annie
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ngono Ngane
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D027481:Araliaceae / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018547:Plant Stems; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000880:Anthraquinones; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D000637:Transaminases