Author(s)

Stanley Chukwuma Okereke¹, Valentine Chibuike Edom¹, Caleb Joel Nwaogwugwu², Chinomso Friday Aaron¹, Ifegwu Prince Oko¹, Iwuchukwu Bruno Obinna¹, George Ugochukwu Ekechukwu³, Udochukwu Stanley Alugbuo¹, Ugoaghalam Uche James³

¹Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemistry, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA.
³Department of Computer Information System, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA.

Background: This study aimed to assess the toxicity of Irvingia gabonensis leaf extracts in albino rats and investigate their effects on body weight, liver function parameters, and renal function parameters. The research specifically compared the outcomes of aqueous and ethanol extraction methods. Methods: Acute toxicity was evaluated by administering a single oral dose of Irvingia gabonensis leaf extracts to rats and monitoring them for 24 hours and during a 14-day observation period. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed through a 28-day administration of the leaf extract. Body weight changes, liver function parameters, and renal function parameters were measured and compared among treatment groups. Results: No signs of toxicity or mortality were observed in rats treated with Irvingia gabonensis leaf extracts obtained through either aqueous or ethanol extraction methods. The calculated lethal dose required to cause mortality in 50% of the tested animals (LD₅₀) exceeded 5000 mg/kg body weight. Oral administration of the leaf extract at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight did not induce any observable signs of toxicity or adverse effects during the 28-day study period. Male and female albino rats treated with the leaf extract showed significant weight gains compared to the control group. Higher doses (800 mg/kg) of both aqueous and ethanol extracts led to increased levels of total protein, albumin, and globulin in male albino rats, with the ethanol extract exhibiting a more pronounced effect. The administration of the ethanol extract, particularly at the lower dose (400 mg/kg), resulted in decreased levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), suggesting potential liver protective properties. Additionally, bilirubin levels, a marker of liver dysfunction, were significantly reduced in all treatment groups, with the lowest levels observed in the groups receiving higher doses of both aqueous and ethanol extracts. The administration of Irvingia gabonensis leaf extracts did not significantly affect renal function parameters in both male and female albino rats. Conclusion: Irvingia gabonensis leaf extracts obtained through aqueous and ethanol extraction methods showed no acute or sub-acute toxicity in albino rats. The extracts demonstrated potential beneficial effects on liver function parameters, particularly at higher doses. However, further research is needed to validate these findings and determine the optimal dosage for potential therapeutic applications in humans.

Irvingia gabonensis Leaf, LD50, Acute and Sub-Acute, Toxicology, Histopathology

Okereke, S. , Edom, V. , Nwaogwugwu, C. , Aaron, C. , Oko, I. , Obinna, I. , Ekechukwu, G. , Alugbuo, U. and James, U. (2023) Toxicological Assessment of Irvingia gabonensis Leaf Extracts in Albino Rats: A Comparative Study between Aqueous and Ethanol Extraction Methods. Advances in Biological Chemistry, 13, 143-170. doi: 10.4236/abc.2023.134011.