Quantitative Screening and Study of the in vivo Subchronic Toxicity of Ethanolic Extract from the Stem Bark of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. (Burseraceae) in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Many plant species have their own toxicity, direct or indirect. On this point, the perfect knowledge of the metabolite constituents of the plants as well as the toxicity related to them is necessary for an adequate use in the formulation of the Improved Traditional Medicines and all other products related to the plants. Our study aims to carry out the quantitave screening and the study of the subchronic toxicity of ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Canarium schweinfurthii. Harvested in Bamendjou in the West Cameroon region, the stem bark of C. schweinfurthii was extracted with ethanol at 700. The estimation of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, tannins, saponins and alkaloids has been evaluated by different methods described in the literature. The subchronic toxicity assessment was performed over a 90-day period, with 4 batches of 10 rats (5 males and 5 female’s albino Wistar rats) following OECD 408 guidelines. The determination of biochemical parameters, and hematological parameters was done in serum and histological sections on organ. Among the quantified compounds, saponins were the most abundant followed by polyphenols, alkaloids, then flavonoids and finally tannins. On repeated dosing for 90 days, the extract contributed to non-significant weight growth in rats at all dose levels in both male and female rats. Analysis of biochemical, hematological and histological parameters and histological sections did not show any serious signs of toxicity in the treated groups. Finally, the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of C. schweinfurthii even rich in secondary metabolites appears to conserve an acceptable safety for the formulation of improved traditional medicines.