Bafor E E, Igbinuwen O
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, 300001, Nigeria.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jun 22;123(2):302-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.03.001. Epub 2009 Mar 17.
The plant, Ficus exasperata is popularly used in Nigeria and in several parts of Africa for a variety of ailments.
This study was thus mapped out to investigate the toxicity profile of the aqueous leaf extract (AET) on haematological parameters, body weight and body temperature in mice.
In the present study, AET was evaluated for acute toxicity over 24 h and 14-day periods. The LD(50) was assessed via oral and intraperitoneal administration.
The LD(50) was indeterminable via the oral route but was determined to be 0.54 g/kg i.p. In the 24h and 14 days single dose study, oral administration of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 g/kg of AET produced neither mortality nor changes in behavior or any other physiological activity in mice. Body weights and body temperatures were not significantly altered. Haematological analysis showed no marked differences in any of the parameters examined (WBC count, platelet and haemoglobin estimation) in either the control or treated groups. However, the 14 days daily dose study showed significant increase in body temperature (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in the red blood cell count, haemoglobin count and haematocrit values (p<0.05), while other parameters remained unchanged.
In summary, AET was found to be relatively safe on short-term oral administration. However, chronic toxicity studies are required for the support of the safe use of this plant.
在尼日利亚和非洲的几个地区，无花果（Ficus exasperata）被广泛用于治疗各种疾病。
因此，本研究旨在调查无花果叶水提取物（AET）对小鼠血液学参数、体重和体温的毒性特征。
在本研究中，对AET进行了24小时和14天的急性毒性评估。通过口服和腹腔注射评估半数致死剂量（LD50）。
经口服途径无法确定LD50，但经腹腔注射确定为0.54 g/kg。在24小时和14天的单剂量研究中，口服2.5、5、10和20 g/kg的AET对小鼠既未造成死亡，也未引起行为或任何其他生理活动的变化。体重和体温没有明显改变。血液学分析表明，对照组和治疗组在任何检测参数（白细胞计数、血小板和血红蛋白估计）上均无显著差异。然而，14天的每日剂量研究显示体温显著升高（p<0.05），红细胞计数、血红蛋白计数和血细胞比容值显著降低（p<0.05），而其他参数保持不变。
总之，短期口服AET相对安全。然而，需要进行慢性毒性研究以支持该植物的安全使用。
