Toxic Effect of Gardenia ternifolia Fruit on Rats

Aim: This study aims to screen the aqueous extract of Gardenia ternifolia fruit for toxicity in Wistar albino rats by determination of morality, Percentage of weight change, hematology, biochemistry and histopathology.

Methodology: Twenty four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each of 6. Group 1 (control), group 2 and 3 (sub-chronic toxicity) and group 4 (acute toxicity). The aqueous extract was administered orally at a dose of 50 and 500 mg/ kg/ day -for four weeks- to group 2 and 3, respectively. Group 4 received 2000 mg/kg once, and group 1 was kept as a control. Clinical signs and mortality were observed daily. The weights of the animals were recorded weekly at week intervals till the end of the experiment. Blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemistry. Specimens of Liver and kidney were kept in 10% formalin for histopathology.

Results: The results revealed that no clinical signs of toxicity or mortality were recorded during the experiment in all groups. The percentage of weight gain was lowest in group 4 compared with group 1 (control). The hematology and biochemistry of group 1 and 2 were not affected. However, both were altered in group 4. White Blood Cells (WBC) were significantly (P<0.05) increased; Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Total protein and albumin were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Cholesterol, urea, creatinine, Alanin Transaminase (ALT), Asparate Transaminase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (P<0.05) increased. But, bilirubin was not affected in all groups. Histopathological changes on liver and kidney correlated with the hematological and biochemical alterations.

Conclusion: The aqueous extract of G. ternifolia fruit was safe and not lethal to rats at low doses; the highest dose altered the haematology, biochemistry and histology of the tested animals.