title: Antisickling and toxicological evaluation of the leaves of Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scoparia dulcis Linn (Scrophulariaceae) together with other medicinal plants serve as antisickling remedies in Africa. This study was aimed at investigating the antisickling activity of the leaves of the plant as well as establishing the toxicological profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chemical tests were employed in phytochemical investigations. Evaluation of the antisickling activity involved the inhibition of sodium metabisulphite-induced sickling of the HbSS red blood cells obtained from confirmed sickle cell patients who were not in crises. Concentrations of the crude extract and its fractions were tested with normal saline and p-hydroxybenzoic acid serving as controls. Acute toxicological evaluation was carried out in mice while 30-day assessment was done in rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. Percentage sickling inhibitions of the aqueous methanol extracts of S. dulcis were significant all through the period of assay p < 0. 05 compared to normal saline, but not significant with PHBA. The fractions had less activity compared to the crude extracts. The LD 50 of the extract in mice was above 8000 mg/kg body weight when administered orally. Toxicological evaluations at 250 and 500 mg/kg showed mild congestion in virtually all the target organs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antisickling results confirmed traditional usage of Scoparia dulcis in the management of Sickle cell disorders and a candidate for further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. eseabere@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Tavs A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Abere
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. chiagoziejoy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chiagozie J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Okoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. agoreyofo@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Freddy O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Agoreyo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. justjerryelisa@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Gerald I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. rozy4god@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rose I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Jesuorobo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. clement.egharevba@uniben.edu.
authors.forename: Clement O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Egharevba
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. aimiatorpauline@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pauline O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Aimator
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D036721:Scoparia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000986:Antisickling Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts