title: Safety and Analgesic Properties of Ethanolic Extracts of Toddalia Asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) Used for Central and Peripheral Pain Management Among the East African Ethnic Communities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although herbs are often perceived as "natural" and therefore safe, many different side effects have been reported. Additionally, there is limited scientific evidence to establish the safety and efficacy of most herbal products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and haematological effects of Toddaliaasiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) (T. asiatica (L.) in albino Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The phytochemicals present in the plant were determined. The analgesic activity was determined using the hot plate technique. The whole blood with anticoagulant was used for assay of the haematological parameters using the COULTERAc•T5diff AL Hematology Analyzer (Fullerton, CA, USA). The biochemical parameters determined with HumaLyzer 2000, a semi-automatic, microprocessor-controlled photometer fromchem-labs, Nairobi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effect of extract on serum biochemical parameters after 14 days treatment with the crude ethanolic extract of T. asiatica (L.) revealed significant difference in the Cholesterol (P = 0.041), alanine transaminase (P = 0.007), gamma-glutamyl transferase (P = 0.045). There was no significance in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) levels compared to the untreated controls. Peripheral blood films (PBFs) of the treated animals were performed and stained with leishman's stain. Major morphological changes were observed including anisocytosis, burr cells, anisochromia, hypochromia and reactive lymphocytes among others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The crude extract of T. asiatica (L.) showed better analgesic effect (28.2±13.16) than Acetylsalicylate used as control (4±0.31). The potential of T. asiatica (L.) asananalgesic was remarkable. However, the crude extract of T. asiatica (L.) induced nephrotoxicity and liver enzymes modulation and elevated total cholesterol in the test organisms compared to the untreated negative controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimang'a
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Lab. Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gikunju
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kariuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Lab. Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Millicent
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogutu
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D027821:Rutaceae; D044967:Serum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000637:Transaminases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
keywords: Biochemical; Haematological; Phytochemicals; Toxicity