ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF Lonchocarpus cyanescens IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Lonchocarpus cyanescensis one of the medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Western Nigeria. This study was aimed at evaluating the acute toxicity study aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Lonchocarpuscyanescens in normal albino rats. Phytochemical screening of the pulverized plant revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids and reducing sugars. The acute toxicity study of both extracts showed no mortality at the highest dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight tested. Thus, the LD50 of both extracts is above 5000 mg/kg an indication that the plant is safe under acute exposure