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Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity Evaluation of Commelina benghalensis (Commelinacaea) and Newbouldia laevis (Bignoniaceae) Ethanol Leaf Extracts in Wistar Rats
... Thus, research on the use of herbals in diabetic care is conducted considering cultural perspectives with a multidisciplinary approach. Moreover, information on the use of herbals will be given based on the written sources of various cultures as well as the theoretical and ethical perspectives, which are the focus of interest in the methodology of diabetic care [1,2,3]. ...
Herbal medicine has long played a significant role in managing various diseases, including diabetes, across different cultures. The integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare is a growing area of interest, as cultural beliefs strongly influence treatment choices. This study examines the cultural perspectives on the use of herbal medicine in diabetic care, analyzing its benefits, risks, and integration with conventional treatments. While herbal remedies are widely used for their perceived effectiveness and affordability, concerns regarding their safety, regulation, and potential interactions with pharmaceutical treatments remain. By examining traditional practices from different regions and the cultural beliefs that shape them, this study highlights the need for a balanced approach that integrates herbal medicine with conventional diabetes management. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should engage with patients to understand their cultural preferences, promote safe practices, and ensure informed decision-making regarding herbal remedies.
... 9,[10][11][12] Several toxicity studies (acute and subacute) of Newbouldia laevis extract have been documented. [13][14][15][16] Meanwhile, there has been no documented subchronic study on any form of the extract of N. laevis. ...
Objectives
To investigate the safety profile of subchronic oral administration of hydroethanol leaf extract of Newbouldia laevis (NL) in rats.
Methods
NL was administered orally (20, 100, and 500 mg/kg) to groups of rats for 90 days. Distilled water served as control. Some rats were spared for an extra 30 days with no extract administration (reversibility study). Blood, urine and selected vital organs were collected for analyses.
Results
In male rats, NL (20, 500 mg/kg) irreversibly increased (P˂.05) bodyweight and feeding pattern with opposite trend of results in females. NL (20 mg/kg) elicited irreversible decrease (P˂0.05) in RBC in male rats; a reversible decrease in RBC and Hb, and an irreversible increase (500 mg/kg) in WBC and neutrophils in females. In male rats, NL irreversibly decreased (P˂.01) HDL-c and increased uric acid; in female rats, it elicited a reversible increase (P˂.05, 500 mg/kg) in AST. NL (500 mg/kg) irreversibly decreased (P˂.05) sperm motility and count, and produced an irreversible increase (P˂.01) in testosterone levels in male rats (100 mg/kg). It reversibly decreased (20-500 mg/kg) luteinizing hormone levels (both sexes).
Conclusions
NL is fairly safe at lower doses. However, it could cause anemia at lower doses, infertility (both sexes), liver and kidney injuries at high doses.
... Their results showed that ethanol extracts of N. Laevis have high safety margins from the oral acute toxicity. Median lethal dose (LD50) was measured; an LD50 of >5000 mg/kg is considered to be very safe [73] . Toxicity studies in animals are usually necessary for any drug intended for human consumption. ...
This study focused on a review of existing data on Newbouldia laevis and its potential effects on metabolic syndrome. Progressive changes in lifestyle that promote sedentary lifestyle, nutritional imbalances associated with excessive levels of refined sugars and fat that promote excess calories, and genetic factors have contributed significantly to the increase in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and the emergence of the concept of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to an aggregation of factors that intervene, most often together, it is defined as a set of biological and clinical disorders whose metabolic aberrations are mainly: Insulin resistance and dysglycemia, obesity (general and abdominal), atherogenic dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic states. The management of metabolic syndrome is very complex, because the components are associated differently in each patient due to the genetic susceptibility of each to develop one component over another, and the many environmental factors influencing the development of the pathology. The African continent is full of a great diversity of plant species, most of which are used by people as medicines to solve their health problems, because they are readily available. The African hyssop or Newbouldia laevis is a plant in the family Bignoniaceae. The qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenes, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides anthraquinones in Newbouldia laevis leaf extract. Several therapeutic properties have been attributed to the plant Newbouldia laevis including anti-hyperglycemic, cardio-protective and hypotensive activity, body weight reduction, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, hepato-protective, antiparasitic, antibiotic. Herbal medicine is an alternative way to treat metabolic syndrome, and its importance is growing.
... 150 In addition, the leaves' aqueous extract was also shown to have a weak herbal drug interaction with anti-retrieval drugs as evidenced by low inhibitory activity against CYP2B6 enzyme, supporting its relative safety. [151][152] Furthermore, crude methanol extract of the leaves was subjected to cytotoxicity study using Artemia salina lethality assay, and it was observed that the extract has a good safety profile with LC 50 value of 2690.3 μg/mL relative to 629.93 μg/mL by potassium dichromate that served as reference. 144 These results suggest that the safety of the plant varies based on the part of the plant, solvent of extraction, and type of organism used for toxicity testing. ...
Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. (Family, Bignoniaceae), commonly known as tree of life, is a purple-flowering plant that is widely distributed in many parts of Africa. Different parts of the plant, including the leaves, flower, stems and roots are prevalently used in African traditional medicine for the management of many diseases and conditions like diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases, ulcer, tumors, pains, infectious diseases, inflammation, dysentery, sickle cell disease and impotency. This review discusses the trado-medical uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of N. laevis. Based on information generated from scientific investigations deposited in PubMed and SCOPUS, the chemical constituents of the plant include glycosides, anthraquinolones, volatile oils, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and sterols. Extracts prepared from different parts of the plant of the plant and compounds isolated from them have been reported to have several health-promoting potentials such as antioxidant, antimalarial, trypanocidal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, anti-thrombotic, cytoprotective, anti-hypertensive, central nervous system modulatory, male reproduction enhancing and oxytocic properties. These scientific investigations have led credence to the ethnobotanical uses of the plant in folkloric practice. In addition, the presence of phytochemical constituents in the plant might be responsible for the wide biological potentials.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Commelina benghalensis Linn is a perennial plant with upright stems reaching a height of 1 m. Its stem is commonly used to induce abortion in traditional medicine. However, there are insignificant scientific data to evaluate such a claim.
Aim of the study
The study was conducted to determine the abortifacient and toxicological potential of ethanol extract of Commelina benghalensis Linn stem (EECBS) via selected proinflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnant Wistar rats.
Materials and methods
To determine the phytochemicals responsible for EECBS's toxicity and abortifacient effects, high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used. The abortion rate was determined by monitoring the markers of reproductive system failure in the experimental model. To assess rat hepatotoxicity, biochemical markers and immunohistopathological parameters were used.
Results
Results demonstrated the presence of isomeric benzene-mesitylene compounds in EECBS. Also, EECBS significantly altered the markers of liver function and oxidative damage while eliciting a significantly reduced (P < 0.05) number of live fetuses, number of corpora lutea, progesterone, estradiol, and luteinizing hormone, whereas the number of dead fetuses percentage vaginal opening, and post-implantation loss increased significantly (P < 0.05). Estrogenicity studies indicated a significant (P < 0.05) increase in uterine weight, uterine glucose, and ALP dose-dependently. Moreover, EECBS also caused a vaginal hemorrhage preceding the parturition. Also, EECBS treatment significantly increased levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and significantly elevated the expression of COX-2 protein in the liver.
Conclusion
The current investigation established Commelina benghalensis Linn stem's abortifacient activity. Continuous use, on the other hand, may cause liver damage in pregnant rats by disrupting antioxidant defense mechanisms, promoting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increasing COX-2 expression. Hence, caution should be excised while consuming this plant's stem for medication purposes, especially during the gestational period.
Liver plays a central role in the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics which makes it highly susceptible to their adverse and toxic effects. Liver injury caused by various toxic chemicals or their reactive metabolites [hepatotoxicants) is known as hepatotoxicity. The present review describes the biotransformation of hepatotoxicants and various models used to study hepatotoxicity. It provides an overview of pathological and biochemical mechanism involved during hepatotoxicity together with alteration of clinical biochemistry during liver injury. The review has been supported by a list of important hepatotoxicants as well as common hepatoprotective herbs.
An ethnomedicinal survey conducted in two sub-districts (upazillas) each of three districts of Bangladesh revealed that there is both inter- and intra-district variation between the choices of medicinal plants selected by folk medicinal healers (kavirajes) to treat any specific ailment. The variations cannot be accounted for by differences in climate or plant availability for most of the plants used by the kavirajes are available in all six upazillas where the survey was conducted. Most kavirajes claimed that they obtained information on medicinal plants either from ‘gurus’ or from elderly members of their family. However, it was also revealed by the kavirajes that further modes for acquiring medicinal plant knowledge were through initial experiments conducted on animals and poultry, dreams, and a perceived similarity between plants or plant parts and human body features. It is concluded that such selections are, and were, primarily made through initial experiments by traditional healers on animals and birds. Dreams and perceived similarities between plant parts and human body parts may also play an important role in such selection.
The markers of renal function test assess the normal functioning of kidneys. These markers may be radioactive and non radioactive. They indicate the glomerular filtration rate, concentrating and diluting capacity of kidneys (tubular function). If there is an increase or decrease in the valves of these markers it indicates dysfunction of kidney.
The aim of this review is to compare and analyze the present and newer markers of renal function tests which help in diagnosis of clinical disorders. MATERIAL #ENTITYSTARTX00026;
An extensive literature survey was done aiming to compare and compile renal function tests makers required in diagnosis of diseases.
Creatinine, urea, uric acid and electrolytes are makers for routine analysis whereas several studies have confirmed and consolidated the usefulness of markers such as cystatin C and β-Trace Protein.
We conclude that further investigation is necessary to define these biomarkers in terms of usefulness in assessing renal function.
The state of maternal health in Nigeria is poor and can be attributed to inadequate access to reproduce-tive health services, poverty and in some areas cultural resistance. Consequently, many rural people in Nigeria turn to ethno-medicinal health care systems due to accessibility, affordability, availability and an inherent trust in this method. These systems are threatened by erosion of plant diversity and ethno-medicinal knowledge, creating an urgent need for intensive documentation. Therefore, this paper presents an inventory, economic valuation, an evaluation of selected wild species for domestication and a non-experimental validation for the medicinal activity of plants used in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, Nigeria for female reproductive health care and gynaecological conditions. A total of 27 plants belonging to 20 families used in treating 16 female reproductive health and gynaecological conditions were recorded, and their medicinal activity validated non-experimentally. With the exception of two, all the plants documented are reported in scientific literature to have chemical constituents which exhibit medicinal activity. Economic value of medicinally useful plants in the local market ranged from < 6 per kg for fruits and leafy vegetables and < $1 per 10 g for spices. Most (92.31%) of these plants are common and abundant, indicating availability to people irrespective of level on the social scale particularly those in rural areas. Rauvolfia vomitoria and Newbouldia laevis, both wild multipurpose and locally important, with potential for industrial raw materials, can be domesticated and used to improve the livelihoods of rural communities.
Renal function and urea are frequently abnormal in patients with heart failure (HF) and are predictive of increased mortality. The relative importance of each parameter is less clear. We prospectively compared the predictive value of renal function and serum urea on clinical outcome in patients with HF. Patients hospitalized with definite clinical diagnosis of HF (n = 355) were followed for short-term (1 yr) and long-term (mean, 6.5 yr) survival and HF rehospitalization. Increasing tertiles of discharge estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were an independent predictor of increased long-term survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.91; p = 0.01) but not short-term survival. Admission and discharge serum urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio were predictors of reduced short- and long-term survival on multivariate Cox regression analysis. Increasing tertiles of discharge urea were a predictor of reduced 1-year survival (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.21-3.73; p = 0.009) and long-term survival (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.37-2.71; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis including discharge eGFR and serum urea demonstrated that only serum urea remained a significant predictor of long-term survival; however, eGFR and BUN/creatinine ratio were both independently predictive of survival. Urea was more discriminative than eGFR in predicting long-term survival by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.803 vs. 0.787; p = 0.01). Increasing tertiles of discharge serum urea and BUN/creatinine were independent predictors of HF rehospitalization and combined death and HF rehospitalization. This study suggests that serum urea is a more powerful predictor of survival than eGFR in patients with HF. This may be due to urea's relation to key biological parameters including renal, hemodynamic, and neurohormonal parameters pertaining to the overall clinical status of the patient with chronic HF.
A method for the investigation of the acute toxicity of an unknown chemical substance, with an estimation on the LD50, is described. Using this, it is possible to obtain with 13 experimental animals adequate information on the acute toxicity and on the LD50. This method has no limitations and applies to drugs, agricultural and industrial chemicals. It can be used for every route of administration.
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