Toxicological Evaluation of the Ethanol Extract of Peperomia pellucida Leaves in Male Wistar Albino Rats: Hematological, Biochemical, and Histopathological Effects

Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth is widely used in traditional medicine; however, its toxicological profile remains inadequately characterized. This study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of an ethanol leaf extract of P. pellucida in male Wistar albino rats. Twenty-five rats were allocated into control and treatment groups, with the treatment groups respectively administered 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Toxicity assessment included hematological indices, hepatic and renal biochemical markers (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]), and renal histopathological examination. No mortality or observable clinical signs attributable to treatment were recorded throughout the study period. Hematological indices demonstrated no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) relative to the controls and remained within physiological limits. Similarly, serum biochemical markers did not differ significantly across groups, indicating preserved hepatic and renal function. Histopathological evaluation of renal tissues revealed normal glomerular and tubular architecture without evidence of necrosis, inflammation, or structural abnormalities. Overall, the lack of notable changes in hematological indices, hepatic and renal biochemical markers, and renal histology suggests that the ethanol leaf extract of P. pellucida does not elicit acute systemic toxicity at doses up to 1000 mg/kg under the conditions of this study. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting its short-term safety; however, further sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies are required to establish its long-term safety profile.