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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Safety assessment of the ethanolic extract of Gongronema latifolium Benth. leaves: a 90-day oral toxicity study in Sprague Dawley rats

Authors: Bassel Al-Hindi, Nor Adlin Yusoff, Mariam Ahmad, Item Justin Atangwho, Mohd Zaini Asmawi, Majed Ahmed Al-Mansoub, Yasser Mahfooth Tabana, Idris Bello, Mun Fei Yam

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

The leaves of Gongronema latifolium Benth. have long been recognized traditionally as a remedy for a variety of ailments in Africa. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety profile of the ethanolic extract of G. latifolium (GLES) leaves through a repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in male and female of Sprague Dawley rats.

Methods

GLES was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day consecutively for 90 days.

Results

No behavioral or physiological changes and mortality were observed. GLES did not have a marked impact on general hematological parameters and did not precipitate nephrotoxicity. However, compared to the control, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were lower and white adipose tissue paired retroperitoneal fat depots were depleted in male rats treated with GLES3 by the end of the experiment. The liver was significantly enlarged in GLES-treated rats of both sexes. Negative gender-specific alterations were observed with the highest dose. Adverse risk was evident in the female rats mainly due to marked body weight gain and cerebrum weight reduction.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to reach more specific conclusions about to the safety of ingesting high doses of GLES for long periods of time.
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Metadata
Title
Safety assessment of the ethanolic extract of Gongronema latifolium Benth. leaves: a 90-day oral toxicity study in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors
Bassel Al-Hindi
Nor Adlin Yusoff
Mariam Ahmad
Item Justin Atangwho
Mohd Zaini Asmawi
Majed Ahmed Al-Mansoub
Yasser Mahfooth Tabana
Idris Bello
Mun Fei Yam
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2573-x

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