Evafuation of toxicological and other properties of sudanese rhanterium epapposum(ALRFAJ) And trichodesma africanun (Elhiraisha)

Abstract

A concise information on the various active constituents of medicinal/poisonous plants with particular emphasis on the toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids to humans, livestock and laboratory animals was presented. Rhanrerium epapposum or Trichodesma africanum aerial parts were fed to rats at 2,5,l0,and 20% of the standard diet for 12 weeks. Incorporation of Trichodesma afiicanum aerial parts in diet at 20% was lethal to Wistar rats 6-7 weeks alter treatment and caused severe hepatonephrotoxicity. Feeding 20% Rhanterium epappasum aerial parts for 12 weeks was not fatal and caused impaired growth and hepatonephrotoxicity. These changes were correlated with alterations in hematology and clinical chemistry. Damage to vital organs of rats fed 5% or 10% mixture of two plants was less intense, haematological and serobiochemical values were improved and growth was particularly promoted by feeding 10% mixture of two plants. The comparative effects on rats of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of aerial parts of both plants given at different dose levels (300 and 75 mg/kg /day) and by different routes of administration ( oral or i.m) were investigated. Extracts of both plants were toxic and fatal to rats at 300 mg/kg/day by whatever route it was given. The characteristic features of extracts from both plants were hepatonephrotoxicity ,leukocytosis due to lymphocytosis, macrocytic normochromic anaemia as well as severe haemorrhagic myositis at site of injection of the methanol extract particularly from Trichadesma afiicanum aerial parts. These changes were evidenced by alterations in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity and total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol and urea concentrations. Bilirubin concentration did not change. The occurrence of splenic haemosiderosis might have been caused by saponins present in the extract of T richodesma africanum aerial parts. The phytochemical screening of aerial parts of both plants was described . In vitro antibacterial activities of petroleum ether, methanol and water extracts from aerial parts of Rh. epappasum and T africanum used in different concentrations lO,50,l00,2000 and l000ug/ml against Gram +ve bacteria (Bacillus sz/blilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram -ve bacteria (Escherichia coll’, Klebsiella spp, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were estimated. VIII