Adewale Olusola B, Onasanya Amos, Anadozie Scholastica O, Abu Miriam F, Akintan Idowu A, Ogbole Catherine J, Olayide Israel I, Afolabi Olakunle B, Jaiyesimi Kikelomo F, Ajiboye Bashir O, Fadaka Adewale O
Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, Afe Babalola University, Km 8.5, Afe Babalola Way, P.M.B. 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, Afe Babalola University, Km 8.5, Afe Babalola Way, P.M.B. 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Jul 21;188:153-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.003. Epub 2016 May 3.
Crassocephalum rubens is found throughout tropical Africa including the Indian Ocean islands. The leaves are commonly eaten in form of soups and sauces in South-Western Nigeria, also in other humid zones of Africa. Traditionally, it is used as an antidote against any form of poisoning; used to treat stomach and liver complaints; and externally to treat burns, sore eyes, earache, leprosy and breast cancer. In this study, acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of C. rubens leaves was evaluated in rats in order to assess its safety profile.
In acute toxicity study, rats were given a single oral administration of aqueous extract of C. rubens leaves at graded doses (250-5000mg/kg). The animals were monitored for behavioural changes and possible mortality over a period of 24h and thereafter, for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity study, rats of both sexes were administered C. rubens orally at doses of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight daily, for 28 days. Rats were observed weekly for any changes in general behaviour and body weights. In addition, other relevant parameters were assayed at the end of the main and reversibility study periods.
There was no observed adverse effect; including mortality in the animals. The extract caused no significant difference in the body weights as well as organs weights of treated groups when compared with the control groups. Haematological and biochemical parameters also revealed no toxic effects of the extract on rats. Histological assessments were normal in liver and kidney.
It can therefore be suggested based on the results from this study that aqueous extract of C. rubens leaves, at dosage levels up to 1000mg/kg, is non-toxic and could also offer protection on some body tissues. Aqueous extract of C. rubens could therefore, be considered safe. This study supports the application of Crassocephalum rubens in traditional medicine.
红凤菜遍布热带非洲，包括印度洋岛屿。在尼日利亚西南部以及非洲其他湿润地区，人们通常将其叶子做成汤和酱汁食用。传统上，它被用作治疗各种中毒的解药；用于治疗胃部和肝脏疾病；外用可治疗烧伤、眼痛、耳痛、麻风病和乳腺癌。在本研究中，对红凤菜叶子水提取物在大鼠中的急性和亚急性毒性进行了评估，以评估其安全性。
在急性毒性研究中，给大鼠单次口服不同剂量（250 - 5000mg/kg）的红凤菜叶子水提取物。在24小时内监测动物的行为变化和可能的死亡率，之后再监测14天。在亚急性毒性研究中，雌雄大鼠每天口服剂量分别为250mg/kg、500mg/kg、750mg/kg和1000mg/kg体重的红凤菜提取物，持续28天。每周观察大鼠的一般行为和体重变化。此外，在主要研究期和可逆性研究期结束时检测其他相关参数。
未观察到不良影响，包括动物死亡。与对照组相比，提取物对处理组的体重和器官重量没有显著差异。血液学和生化参数也显示提取物对大鼠没有毒性作用。肝脏和肾脏的组织学评估正常。
因此，根据本研究结果可以表明，红凤菜叶子水提取物在高达1000mg/kg的剂量水平下是无毒的，并且还可能对某些身体组织起到保护作用。因此，红凤菜水提取物可被认为是安全的。本研究支持红凤菜在传统医学中的应用。
