Assessment of the Safety of Aqueous Extract of Maize (Zea mays) Husks in Wistar Albino Rats
Olanrewaju Samson Odelola *
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Victor Olusegun Oyetayo
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Ayodele Oluwayemisi Ogundare
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Babatunde Ogunlade
Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The possible toxic impact of aqueous extract of maize husks (HA) on Wistar albino rats was investigated.
Study Design: Experimental design.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria between January 2020 and April 2020.
Methodology: The extract was prepared adopting the cold extraction procedure. Forty-eight (48) Wistar albino rats were used for this study. Acute toxicity study was carried out by administering HA at a single dose of 2000, 4000 and 8000 mg/kg body weight to the rats by oral gavage. The rats were observed for 14 days for any mortality or signs of toxicity. For sub-acute study, doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight were orally administered daily for 28 days. Biochemical and haematological parameters as well as histopathological studies were carried out after the experiments.
Results: Acute toxicity results indicated that the median lethal dose (LD50) of HA was greater than 8000 mg/kg. There was remarkable body weight gain (P ≤ 0.05) in both male and female rats in all the sub-acute groups and acute group treated with 8000mg/kg. In the acute and sub-acute toxicity study, slight difference was recorded between the biochemical and haematological parameters of the treated rats dosed with the extract and the control. There was a significant increase in Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of female rats and lymphocytes of male rats treated with 800 mg/mL and 400 mg/mL respectively. The total protein, glucose and urea level of male rats treated with 200 mg/mL reduced while urea level of females treated with 200 mg/mL and 400 mg/mL also reduced remarkably. However, histological data showed no significant difference.
Conclusion: In general, the extract was found to show no toxic effect on the rats and hence it is safe for potential therapeutic use.
Keywords: Toxicity, maize husks, acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicity
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References
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