TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF HUNTERIA UMBELLATA SEEDS: ACUTE AND SUB-ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY, RENAL, HEPATIC AND HAEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS IN WISTAR MICE.

This study evaluates the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of ethanol extract from Hunteria umbellata seeds in mice, focusing on mortality rates, physical observations, biochemical, and haematological markers over 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days of administration. Across all dosage groups (400–6400 mg/kg), no mortality was observed, although mild dullness was noted at higher doses (3200 mg/kg and 6400 mg/kg) within the first two hours post-administration. Sub-acute toxicity assessments indicated dose-dependent alterations in renal and liver function markers. Renal function parameters showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in urea (8.10±0.15 mg/dl), creatinine (0.64±0.03 mg/dl), and potassium (1.23±0.24 mmol/L) at 400 mg/kg compared to the control (8.90±0.50 mg/dl, 0.74±0.02 mg/dl, 5.29±0.58 mmol/L, respectively). In contrast, higher doses (1600 mg/kg and 3200 mg/kg) led to elevated levels of urea (up to 15.00±0.11 mg/dl), creatinine (up to 1.15±0.03 mg/dl), and potassium (up to 13.00±0.22 mmol/L), indicating potential renal toxicity. Liver function markers exhibited dose-dependent increases in ALP (46.12±3.35 IU/L), AST (46.39±1.17 IU/L), and ALT (57.78±2.70 IU/L) at 3200 mg/kg, significantly higher than control values (ALP 30.89±1.56 IU/L, AST 23.46±2.99 IU/L, ALT 29.14±2.87 IU/L). Total protein and albumin levels were significantly reduced at lower doses (4.40±1.93 g/dl and 0.62±0.11 g/dl at 400 mg/kg) but increased at higher doses, showing a complex dose-response trend. Haematological analysis revealed dose-dependent variations, with significantly lower haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets at 400 mg/kg (13.49±0.49 g/dl, 3.95±0.12 x10³/µl, and 184.76±0.49 x10⁶/µl, respectively) compared to control (14.68±0.35 g/dl, 5.05±0.82 x10³/µl, and 196.63±2.59 x10⁶/µl, respectively). Red blood cells (RBC) levels increased significantly at higher doses, reaching 8.57±0.13 x10⁶/µl at 3200 mg/kg compared to 6.96±0.28 x10⁶/µl in the control group. A marked decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) was noted at 800 mg/kg (37.38±3.17%) relative to the control (51.28±1.84%). These findings suggest that low doses of Hunteria umbellata seed extract exhibit limited toxicity, while higher doses may cause significant renal, hepatic, and haematological alterations.