Context: Pithecellobium dulce (PD) is an annual herbaceous plant
commonly used in African traditional medicine as a purgative,
antipyretic, anti-ulcer and wound dressing agent.
Aims: To evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of P. dulce stem bark
hydroethanolic extract in Wistar rats.
Methods: In the acute test, a single dose of 5 g/kg body weight was
administered to Wistar rats afterwards they were observed individually 4
hours post-dosing, and at least once daily for 14 consecutive days. The
sub-acute toxicity was evaluated by daily oral administration of 0.5 and 1
g/kg extract, for 28 days. Biochemical and hematological parameters
assessment as well as body and organ weights of the rats were carried out.
Results: The limit dose of 5 g/kg did not cause any mortality or signs of
acute toxicity on the rats during the experimentation period. In the subacute test, uterus-ovary-trompe (UOT) weight decreased dosedependently: Control group (0.82 ± 0.03 g); Extract 0.5 g/kg (0.57 ± 0.06
g); Extract 1g/kg (0.48 ± 0.01 g) (p ˂ 0.01). Extract lowered urea values in
female group treated with 1 g/kg (p < 0.01). Lymphocytes percentage was
dose dependently increased in treated male groups: Control group (53.00
± 0.58%); extract 0.5 g/kg (58.67 ± 0.67%) and extract 1 g/kg (60.67 ±
2.41%).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that PD is relatively safe when
administered orally in rats but is slightly atrophic for female reproductive
organs

animal model; medicinal plants; pharmacology; toxicology.