Evaluation of the Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity of the Ethanolic Extract of Cassia sieberiana Root in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract The roots of Cassia sieberiana (African laburnum) is a common aphrodisiac in Northern Nigeria that is used in traditional medicine to enhance sexual function and treat erectile dysfunction in men without much consideration for its safety and side effects. This study evaluated the toxicity of oral administration of ethanol extract of C. sieberiana on male rats. Twenty (20) male wistar rats were randomly distributed into control group and three treatment groups made up of five (5) rats each, and orally administered crude extract of C. sieberiana roots for 21 days at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively. The body weight, organ weight, liver function, kidney function, antioxidant and malondialdehyde levels were determined. The results revealed that LD50 of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg b.w. Additionally, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in the respective body weight, liver function parameters, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation markers of treated groups with reference to the control group. There was a significant increase in the weight of the pancreas of the treated groups compared to the control. The test rats administered 100 and 200 mg/kg b. w. recorded a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in serum potassium ions concentration. These results therefore suggest that oral administration of C. sieberiana did not induce any significant alterations or toxic effect in the male rats. C. sieberiana ethanolic extract can be considered safe. However, further investigation on histopathology of vital organs and chronic toxicity study is still required to ensure the safety of the plant Keywords: Antioxidant, Biochemical parameters, Kidney, Liver, Toxicity