Abstract

Plants are some of the great gifts nature has given to mankind. These have been utilized in diverse ways among which are for food and medicinal purposes. This study investigated the toxicity effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Annona senegalensis following prolong administration in albino rats. The study was carried out in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of University of Maiduguri, Borno State of Nigeria, West Africa. The acute toxicity was carried out using standard method as described by Karbar and modified by Aliu and Nwude. In this method, histopathological investigation were carried out as described by Drury and Carlton. Serum enzymes measurements were carried out using the method of Schmidt and Schmidt. The acute toxicity (LD50) level obtained was 2400 mg/kg which corresponds with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) classification of nontoxic level, but harmful according to EPA United States of America. The study showed significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST). This suggests presence of toxic effects of the extract on the liver. In the organs investigated, there were significant histopathological changes induced by the extract as shown on the microscopic plates. It was concluded that the extract has a dose dependent toxicity on liver and other organs. The use of this plant for food and treatment of various ailments should therefore be done with caution.