Effect of Leptadeniahastata ETHANOLIC Extract in Wistar Rats

Leptadenia hastata (Pers. ) Decne is edible non-domesticated vegetable and it is used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases catarrh, prostate and rheumatism. This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Leptadenia hastata on wistar rats. Acute and chronic toxicity were conducted. The acute toxicity study of ethanol extract of Leptadenia hastata showed no toxicity when administered up to 5000mg/kg body weight orally. In the chronic toxicity study, different doses of the ethanol extract were administered to rats at 100 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight for 30 consecutive days. The levels of serum AST and ALT of treated animals significantly (pless than0.05) decreased compared to the control group. The serum albumin of treated animals showed significant (pless than0.05) increase compared to the control group. There was significant decrease in the serum levels of urea of the treated animals compared to the control, also significant increase (pless than0.05) in PCV and Hb were observed in the treated animals compared to the control. The result therefore suggests that Leptadenia hastata could be safe for consumption orally even at chronic administration.