TOXICITY STUDIES ON N-HEXANE AND METHANOL LEAF AND METHANOL SEED EXTRACTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN. IN CHICKS AND MICE
TOXICITY STUDIES ON N-HEXANE AND METHANOL LEAF AND METHANOL SEED EXTRACTS OF JATROPHA CURCAS LINN. IN CHICKS AND MICE
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Date
2014-11
Authors
ALIYU, Omeiza Bashir
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Abstract
Jatropha curcas is a toxic plant commonly used as food and remedy for several
diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of
sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulphate, penicillamine, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acids
(EDTA) and atropine against acute and sub-acute n-hexane leaf, methanol leaf and
seed extracts of Jatropha curcas intoxication in 7-14 day old chicks. The oral and
intraperitoneal median lethal doses (LD50) of the extracts were performed in mice, one
and seven day old chicks. Effect of the antidotes on LD50 and signs of J. curcas
extracts intoxication were determined in the acute toxicity study while the therapeutic
effect of the antidotes co-administered with the extracts for 7 days were determined in
sub-acute toxicity study. Phytochemical, anti-nutritional and elemental analysis of the
extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites, anti-nutrients and heavy
metals. The oral LD50 of hexane and methanol leaf extracts were above 5,000 mg/kg
in chicks and mice while methanol seed extract was 1,100 mg/kg in 7-days old chicks.
The intraperitoneal LD50 of hexane and methanol leaf extracts were 1,386 mg/kg and
775 mg/kg in mice, 894 mg/kg and 89 mg/kg in one day old chicks, 935 mg/kg and 74
mg/kg in seven days old chicks. The intraperitoneal LD50 of methanol seed extract in
seven days old chicks was 22 mg/kg. The antidotes increased the intraperitoneal LD50
of the extracts in chicks and administration of extracts at 135% LD50 caused acute
signs of intoxication such as pecking, ataxia, escape attempt, closing of eyes, gasping,
crouching, sleeping and death. Treatment with antidotes significantly (p<0.05)
decreased or had no effect on lethality and signs of intoxication due to J. curcas leaf
and seed extracts. Seven days daily oral administration of methanol leaf and seed
extracts at 10% LD50 for sub-acute intoxication caused diarrhoea, weakness,
respiratory depression, weight loss and lethargy. Signs of intoxication were severe in
the extract treated with saline group (saline treated group). The methanol leaf extract
significantly (p<0.05) increased the white blood cells (WBC). Sodium thiosulphate,
penicillamine and atropine as antidotes against methanol leaf extract intoxication had
no effect on the haematological parameters while sodium nitrite and EDTA
significantly (p<0.05) decreased WBC and mean corpuscular haemoglobin
concentration (MCHC) when compared to saline treated group. The methanol seed
extract intoxicated chicks produced no significant (p<0.05) effect when compared to
the control. The biochemical parameters (ALP, ALT, AST and Urea) of the methanol
leaf extract treated with saline group showed significant (p<0.05) increase when
compared to the control. Sodium thiosulphate, EDTA and atropine as antidotes for
methanol leaf extract intoxication significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of ALT
while atropine significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of urea when compared to
the saline treated group. The methanol seed extract treated with saline group
significantly (p<0.05) increased ALT and AST when compared to the control.
Treatment with sodium thiosulphate significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of ALT
and AST. The study revealed the presence of anti-nutrients and heavy metals in J.
curcas. Sodium thiosulphate and atropine were the most effective antidotes and may
be used in the management of J. curcas intoxication.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF A
MASTER DEGREE IN PHARMACOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS,
FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
NOVEMBER, 2014
Keywords
TOXICITY,, STUDIES,, N-HEXANE,, METHANOL,, LEAF,, METHANOL, SEED,, EXTRACTS,, JATROPHA CURCAS LINN,, CHICKS,, MICE.