ACUTE TOXICITY TESTING OF SOME POISONOUS PLANTS FOUND IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study presents the phytochemical screening andAcute toxicity studies of the leaves of 5 plants administered orally to Albino rats (Mannihot escullenta, Euphorbia sepium, Ipomea asarifolia, Calotropis procera and Ricinus communis) and. The phytochemical screening of the leaves extract shows the presence of some phytochemicals in high concentration.The acute oral toxicity studies of the leave extract of ipomea asarifolia, at 1000mg/kg and Ricinus communis at 3000mg/kg resulted in mortality with LD50 692.82mg/kg and 2236.07mg/kg respectively. The acute toxicity studies of Mannihot Escullenta, Euphorbia sepium and C.procerafrom 1000-5000 mg/kg resulted in no mortality, this suggest that the LD50 is greater than 5000mg/kg and can be classified as practically non- toxic and considered safe by the recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)..Ipomea asarifolia and Ricinus communis are highly toxic from this study and hence should not be use for any medicinal effect. Mannihot escullenta, Euphorbia sepium and C. procera are safe for oral use as no mortality was detected and can thus be use by local people in traditional management of various ailments.ABSTRACT This study presents the phytochemical screening andAcute toxicity studies of the leaves of 5 plants administered orally to Albino rats (Mannihot escullenta, Euphorbia sepium, Ipomea asarifolia, Calotropis procera and Ricinus communis) and. The phytochemical screening of the leaves extract shows the presence of some phytochemicals in high concentration.The acute oral toxicity studies of the leave extract of ipomea asarifolia, at 1000mg/kg and Ricinus communis at 3000mg/kg resulted in mortality with LD50 692.82mg/kg and 2236.07mg/kg respectively. The acute toxicity studies of Mannihot Escullenta, Euphorbia sepium and C.procerafrom 1000-5000 mg/kg resulted in no mortality, this suggest that the LD50 is greater than 5000mg/kg and can be classified as practically non- toxic and considered safe by the recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)..Ipomea asarifolia and Ricinus communis are highly toxic from this study and hence should not be use for any medicinal effect. Mannihot escullenta, Euphorbia sepium and C. procera are safe for oral use as no mortality was detected and can thus be use by local people in traditional management of various ailments.