Short-term administration of an aqueous extract of kalanchoe integra var. crenata (Andr.) Cuf leaves produces no major organ damage in Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Kalanchoe intergra (Ki) leaf extract is an orally administered multipurpose plant medicine in Ghana and other parts of the world for the treatment of ulcers, pain and adenoma of the prostate gland. There is paucity of information concerning its short-term usage. The present study is aimed at conducting histopathological and biochemical studies in a 14-day sub-acute toxicity studies using female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Materials and methods: Crude extract of Ki leaves was prepared and freeze-dried. A 14-day sub-acute toxicity studies was conducted using 2 week old nulliparous and non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats (120-150g). Reconstituted Ki was administered at a dosage of 900mgkg(-1) (high dose), 300mgkg(-1) with a control group receiving an equivalent volume of distilled water (as vehicle) by gastric lavage. Histopathological studies of major organs and blood chemistry analysis were performed on blood obtained via cardiac puncture into EDTA tubes after euthanisation.

Results: There was a significant decrease in urea (p<0.016) and creatinine levels (p<0.001) in both the high and low dose groups. There was an increase in ALP levels (P=0.01) in both the high and low dose groups. ALT and AST rather decreased significantly in both the high and low dose groups (p<0.0001). Histopathological results did not show any abnormalities in all the H&E stained paraffin sections. Thus the photomicrographs of the liver, kidney and heart were within histopathological limits.

Conclusion: Ki leaf extract is non-toxic when administered by the oral route over a time period of 14 days at the above doses.

Keywords: AIN-93 G; ALB; ALP; ALT; ANOVA; AST; American Institute of Nutrition; C; Creatinine; D. bilirubin; GAFCO; Ghana Agriculture Food Company; HCT; HD; HGB; Kalanchoe integra; LD; LD(50); LYM %; LYM#; Leaf extract; MCH; MCHC; MCV; MPV; P-LCR; PDW; PLT; P_LCR; RBC; RDW-CV; RDW-SD; S-D; SDR; Sprague-Dawley; Sprague-Dawley Rats; Sub-acute toxicity; T. bilirubin; TP; WBC; alanine amino transferase; albumin; alkaline phosphatase; analysis of variance; aspartate amino transferase; coefficient of variation in red cell distribution width; control; direct bilirubin; haematocrit; haemoglobin; high dose; ind. Bilirubin; indirect bilirubin; ki; lethal dose; low dose; lymphocyte count; lymphocytes percentage; mean corpuscular haemoglobin; mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration; mean corpuscular volume; mean platelet volume; platelet; platelet distribution width; platelet larger cell ratio; platelet larger cell ration; red blood cells; standard deviation in red cell distribution width; total bilirubin; total protein; white blood cells.