Acute Toxicity Studies of Erythrophleum suaveolens in Albino Mice (Mus musculus)

The activity of crude hydro-extract of stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens against Albino Mice was investigated. Extracted doses (50-300mg/kg) of the crude extract were administered. No mortality was recorded at low doses (50-100mg/kg) in comparison with high doses with progressive increase in mortality rate 150mg/kg = 20%, 175mg/kg = 20%, 200mg/kg = 40%, 250mg/kg = 60%, 280mg/kg = 80% and 300mg/kg = 100% respectively. Affected animals also exhibited physical signs of toxicity restlessness between 2-3 minutes, and increase in respiratory rate between 2-5 minutes, continued restlessness, convulsion and finally death. Probit analysis of mortality revealed an LD 50 = 223.8±0.05smg/kg. Post mortem examination of dead animals revealed evidence of poisoning as observed from clotted blood in the coronary artery. Investigation confirms the toxic effect of E. suaveolens, thus provides an area to explore in the use of the indigenous plant for medicinal and animal grazing purposes.