Acute and sub-acute toxicity of Sida veronicifolia aqueous extract in female wistar rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Sida veronicifolia Lamb (Malvaceae) is commonly used in traditional medicine of Cameroon for the treatment of pregnancy and childbirth discomfort; however, no toxicological studies have been reported on the plant. Aim of the study: The present study was carried out to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of this plant has been evaluated in female rats. Materials and methods: In the acute toxicity test four female Wistar rats were treated with a single dose of the AESV (5000 mg/kg) administered by oral gavage and observed for 14 days in order to identify signs of toxicity or death. In subchronic toxicity study, rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each. Animals of group 2 to 4 received, by daily gavage three doses 60, 240 and 960 mg/kg of the AESV for 28 days. Body weight and food consumption were measured every four days and at the end of treatment were analysed hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Results: Evaluation of acute toxicity indicated no apparent clinical change in the animals; the LD50 is higher than 5000 mg/kg. In the sub-acute toxicity study, the AESV did not affect the general behavior. Moreover, no significant difference was observed on the body weights and blood, urinary and organs biochemical parameters. However, food consumption significantly decreased at the dose 960 mg/kg; vascular congestion of hepatic portal vein, few hepatic fibrosis at the doses 240 and 960 mg/kg and few renal necrosis at the dose 960 mg/kg were registered on liver and kidney sections. Also, a significant decrease of lymphocytes percentage associate to an increase of those of granulocytes was observed in all treated groups comparatively to control. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed evidence of the non-toxic effect of S. veronicifolia at 60 mg/kg, the dose commonly used in traditional treatments of pregnancy complaints. However, in sub-acute treatment, higher doses could provoke histopathological damages in the liver and kidneys which could in part reversible. Thus the extract should be used with caution.