IN-VIVO TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE ROOTS OF SCHUMANNIOPHYTON MAGNIFICUM (K. SCHUM.) HARMS (RUBIACEAE) IN WISTAR RATS

Background: Also known as Gogologo, Schumanniophyton magnificum (K. Schum.) Harms is a medicinal plant used by the “Baka” Pygmies in the South region of Cameroon for the management of erectile dysfunction, but less information is known on its potential toxicity. Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety and toxicological potential of the aqueous extract of the plant’s roots through acute and subchronic studies. Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract of the plant was administered per os once a day to 20 rats for the acute study (2000 mg/kg) and 40 rats for the subchronic study (100, 300 and 533 mg/kg) according to the guidelines 420 and 408 of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Then, animals were observed on general behavior, signs of toxicity, body weights, food and water intake. At the end of each experiment, biochemical, hematological and histopathological analyses were performed. Results: For the acute study, the single dose of 2000 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum caused no deaths, no change in the general appearance of the animals, suggesting that the fifty lethal dose is greater than 2000 mg/kg. The sub-chronic toxicity analysis showed that the extract significantly (P<0.05) lowered total cholesterol levels and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the serum. The extract induced a significant (P<0.05) increase in total protein, creatinine, and triglycerides levels compared to the control group. Conclusion: Results showed that the aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum could be safely used with doses up to 300 mg/kg body weight.