ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY AND NEUROBEHAVIOURAL TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CHRYSOPHYLLUM PERPULCHRUM IN RATS

This study aimed to investigate the acute toxicity of methanolic extract of Chrysophyllum perpulchrum on biochemical, behavioral and histopathological variation in male Wistar rats. Acute toxicity of the methanol extract of Chrysophyllum perpulchrum was carried out on 36 male rats using different doses of the extract ranging from 500 to 2000 mg/kg body weight. Behavioral tests were used to determine the effect of the extract on cognitive performance such as anxiety, memory, and locomotor activity. Biochemical analyses of (ALAT, ASAT, glycemia) were carried out on the plasma, while pathological changes in the kidneys, liver were examined histologically. Our results showed that the LD₅₀ value indicates that the methanolic extract of the C. perpulchrum administered orally, is slightly toxic and can induce some slight behavioral disturbances related to anxiety whereas the learning and memory capacities remained unaffected. The acute oral treatment of rats with methanolic extract of Chrysophyllum perpulchrum, in general, did not induce significant modifications of the biochemical profile when compared to the control group. However, the histopathological evaluation indicated that the extract has some adverse effect on the morphology of the tissues in the liver and kidneys. In conclusion the methanolic extract of Chrysophyllum perpulchrum possesses a wide spectrum of CNS activity. Further studies are necessary to verify the potential effect of this plant to modulate the cognitive levels especially mood and anxiety based on the molecule content of this plant, dose and the method of administration.