Acute, sub –acute and sub –chronic toxicological effect of Mangifera indica ethanol root extract on liver and kidney of wistar rats

There are folkloric beliefs that some plants have several medical benefits with no danger. An example of such plant is Mangifera indica. Different part of the plant has been useful for several medicinal purposes such, pain and infection but no long-time toxicological consequences on vital organs has been established. Aim: The aim of this study is evaluation of acute and sub –chronic toxicological effect of Mangifera indica ethanol root extract on liver and kidney of wistar rats. Modified Lorke's method was employed for acute toxicity. Sub-chronic toxicity of Mangifera indica ethanol root extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg P.O) was studied by daily dosing of Wistar rats of both sexes for 90 days with blood samples collected every 30 days for biochemical analysis. No mortality or observable signs of toxicity were observed for acute and subchronic effects of the extract on the tested animals. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in biochemical parameters when compared to the control group. Histopathological analysis showed mild liver cell distortion in rats treated at 1000 mg/kg which may be due to continuous consumption of the extract by the animals. This result support the traditional belief on the safety potentials of the plant.