Ugbogu A.E.^1,, Okezie E.¹, Uche-Ikonne C.², Duru M.³, Atasie O.C.¹

Aim: This study evaluated the phytochemicals, proximate and the toxicity effect of aqueous stem extract of Senna alata using wistar rats. In acute toxicity test, aqueous dried stem extract of Senna alata were administered orally up to 10 g/kg body weight to male wistar rats. Materials and methods: In sub-acute study, the wistar rats were daily administered orally with aqueous dried stem extract of Senna alata at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 14 days and haematological, biochemical parameters were determined and a histopathology of the liver and kidney were analyzed. Results: The acute toxicity of oral administration of aqueous extracts of Senna alata stem on albino rats after 24 hours did not produce any mortality at concentration up to 10 g/kg body weight. In the subacute toxicity, significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed in the results of urea, creatinine, and bicarbonate across the tested groups when compared with the control rats. The results of the liver enzymes showed significant difference (P> 0.05) on alkaline transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Conclusion: Our results showed that the dried stem of Senna alata is not toxic at the tested doses.

toxicity, biochemical, haematology, aqueous extract, wistar rats