Evaluation of Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity of Morinda lucida Benth. (Rubiaceae) leafs methanol extract in Wistar Rats

Morinda lucida is a plant widely used in tropical Africa to manage gastroenteric deseases. However the security and toxicity of methanol leaves extract have not been determined yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of leaves extract of Morinda lucida. For acute toxicity study, a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight was given to rats and observed for 14 days. In sub-acute toxicity, rats were treated with 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 28 days. Body weights and behavior were noted throughout the experiment. Upon treatment, blood and urine were collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, testes and ovaries were analyzed for relative weights and histopathology. Acute toxicity studied of extract revealed no signs of related to treatment, indicating that median-lethal-dose (LD50) values is surpass 5000 mg/Kg of body weight. The results of sub-acute toxicity studies of extract showed no significant side reaction of all doses of extract. Morinda lucida extract caused a decrease a level of lymphocyte and white blood cells and significant increase a level of granulocyte and monocyte. Biochemical parameters showed a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL, serum proteins, urinary creatinin, serum creatinin, transaminases and increase urinary proteins; serum urea and urinary glucose were noted. An increase in lung, spleen and ovaries relative body weight was observed. Histopathological analysis revealed a normal architecture of kidneys, liver, heart, lung, ovaries and testes. This study provides valuable data on the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of Morinda lucida that could be very useful for future assays.