<i>In Vivo</i> Subacute Liver Toxicity of “Attoté”: A Herbal Drink

The herbal drink “Attoté” has been widely used in the Abidjan district to treat a number of illnesses, notably erectile dysfunction. Despite the popularity of its therapeutic effects, very few studies have been carried out on its effects on the health of users. The aim of this study was to identify the constituents contained in the phytomedicinal product and to assess their potential adverse effects in vivo. Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the bioactive molecules in “Attoté” and to evaluate its hepatic effects in vivo. Forty (40) Wistar rats, randomly divided into 4 groups, with 10 animals per group (5 males and 5 females) were used to study potential hepatotoxic effects. Group 1 animals (control group) received distilled water. Batches I, II and III received by gavage a volume of Attoté extract corresponding to 1 ml/100 g body weight at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. Attoté extract was administered daily at the same time for 28 days, and serum was collected every two weeks to assess hepatic biochemical markers by spectrophotometry using a Cobas C311® HITACHI biochemistry system. After one month of study, the rats were euthanized by ether overdose and the livers were harvested for morphological and histopathological analysis. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, leucoanthocyanes, anthraquinones and quinones. Hepatic biochemical and hematological parameters such as red globular, hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALPs) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in the treated rat group compared with controls. However, these variations were moderate and transient, with values remaining almost within their standard limits. Microscopic observations of liver tissue sections from treated rats showed no liver damage or dysfunction. This study merits further investigation, with a view to gaining a better understanding of the cytotoxic mechanisms of herbal medicinal beverages, with a view to their reformulation as improved traditional medicines (ITMs).