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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutics
Acute and chronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of Artemisia afra in rodents
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 112, No. 1, Year 2007
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Description
Artemisia afra (Jacq. Ex. Willd), "African Wormwood" is widely used traditionally in South Africa with no literature evidence substantiating its safety. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of the aqueous extract of Artemisia afra by determining its pharmaco-toxicological effects after acute and chronic administration in mice and rats, respectively. The aqueous extract mimicked the traditional decoction dosage form of Artemisia afra. In mice, single intraperitoneal injections of Artemisia afra-extract (1.5-5.5 g/kg) induced a regular dose-dependent increase in the death rate and incidence of general behaviour adverse effects, while with single oral doses (2-24 g/kg) the increases in incidence of general behaviour adverse effects and mortality rate were dose-independent. The LD50s after acute intraperitoneal and oral doses were 2.45 and 8.96 g/kg, respectively. Rats given oral doses of Artemisia afra-extract (0.1 or 1 g/kg/day) survived the 3 months of dosing (i.e. LD50 much higher than 1 g/kg), experienced no significant changes in general behaviour and haematological and biochemical parameters, except for transient decrease in AST activity. No significant changes were observed in organ weights, and histopathological results showed normal profile suggesting no morphological alterations. Collectively, the results indicate that Artemisia afra-extract is non-toxic when given acutely, has low chronic toxicity potential and, in high doses, may have a hepatoprotective effect. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Mukinda, James
South Africa, Bellville
University of the Western Cape
Syce, James A.
South Africa, Bellville
University of the Western Cape
Statistics
Citations: 264
Authors: 2
Affiliations: 1
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.jep.2007.02.011
ISSN:
03788741
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
South Africa