Abstract

Background: Rumex abyssinicus jacq (polygonaceae) is common medicinal plants used in Ethiopia for various complaints such as wound healing, anti-inflammatory activities, hypertension, liver disease, amoeba and intestinal parasites. So, several studies support the use of this plant for different disease, the toxicity profile was not evaluated yet. Therefore, the aim of the present study was carried out to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity Rumex abyssinicus of rhizome extract on some blood parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney in Swiss albino mice.

Method: Rhizomes of Rumex abyssinicus were collected from Gondar area, Northwest Ethiopia. The dried roots extracted with 80% methanol. 25 - 40g weight and 8 - 12 weeks age Swiss albino female mice were randomly divided into one control and three experimental groups. The control group was orally given 0.5 ml of distilled water and treatment groups were given extract by intragastric tube at the doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight once a day for 4 weeks and then sacrificed. Blood sample was collected from each mouse and examined for hematological and biochemical parameters. Liver and kidney were removed, stained and examined for histopathological effects.

Result: The methanol rhizome extract of Rumex abyssinicus was tested for toxicity study. Female Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into control and treatment groups. The doses for acute toxicity study were single doses of 2, 000 mg/kg body weight and sub-acute toxicity study daily administration doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract were used for 28 consecutive days. Hematological parameters and microscopic examination of liver and kidney tissue and body weight of mice were evaluated the test period as well recording the signs of toxicity.

Acute toxicity study did not tell any signs of toxicity; that's why the LD50 was higher than 2, 000 mg/kg. There was no significant change (p > 0.05) in general body weight and most of evaluated hematological and biochemical parameters after 28 days of sub-acute treatment. The kidneys and liver of treatment group appear normal in their texture, shape, size or color compared to the control in gross and histopathological examination.

The findings revealed that the 80% methanol rhizome extract of Rumex abyssinicus relatively safe in mice.

Keywords: Rumex abyssinicus; Sub-Acute Toxicity; Histopathological Studies

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